The Crier Newsletter - Term One 2023

A musical adventure to treasure for lucky students

In the second last week of Term One, a group of eight Senior School students got to experience the trip of a lifetime

Cadence Pang, Emily Orsida, Harrison Brooker, Caitlin Welch, Lyra Mete, Makayla Pestrucci, Lacey Eddy and Olivia Thompson travelled to Perth to participate in ASC Schools Week, coordinated by the Anglican Schools Commission The students were accompanied on this trip by Principal Keith Willett and Head of Music, Mrs Trish Chmiel

Year 12 students Cadence, Caitlin, Emily and Harrison were kind enough to write a reflection about their time in Perth.

The 2023 ASC Schools Week experience was definitely one we all enjoyed greatly because it provided us with a unique opportunity to create fun memories and form new friendships with other students across the ASC's network

The Crier

School

Term One Edition, 2023

Traveling to Perth with our sister schools, Wangaratta Cathedral College and Trinity Anglican College, allowed us to meet and interact with similar aged students from within the local rural Victorian/New South Wales community.

Although we don’t particularly see ourselves as very musically/vocally talented, we still learnt so much about the vast talents and aspirations belonging to the students around us, not to mention the talent of our fellow Cobram AGS students

Throughout a busy week, we explored what Perth has to offer and engaged in several fun activities in our down time. Some of the highlights were:

Bowling, where we got the privilege of observing first-hand Mrs Chmiel’s terrible bowling skills and Harrison rickrolling everyone in the center.

The suburb of Fremantle was beautiful and the market there was awesome (very windy though).

Enjoying Perth’s beautiful beaches such as Bathers Beach was a great way to relax.

Visiting Perth Zoo was another unforgettable experience

On the musical front, it was incredible to be part of the Massed Student Choir that performed at the ASC Schools Concert. It was a great experience to be on stage in front of a large audience at Perth Concert Hall. One of the rehearsals for the concert took place at St Mark’s Anglican Community School, which gave us the chance to involve ourselves in some of their classes and converse with their Principal about some of the things we do at Cobram AGS

It was also very special being involved in the Eucharist service at St George's Cathedral with the other ASC schools There was a powerful sense of spirituality and togetherness at this service as the ASC family came together as one

In closing, we would highly encourage Cobram AGS students who have a talent or a passion for playing an instrument or singing to consider attending this trip in the future.

It is an amazing opportunity to reach a bigger audience and meet other like-minded students!

If you would like to get involved in the school’s Music program and potentially learn a new instrument, please get in touch with our Head of Music Mrs Trish Chmiel during Term Two.

The Newsletter of Cobram Anglican Grammar

Father Victor Adams officially becomes part of the Cobram AGS family

The first day of March signalled an exciting new chapter for our community, with Father Victor Adams being licensed and commissioned as the school’s Chaplain.

A key part of the service was the Presentation of Symbols including the Bible, the Baptismal Water, Stole and Oils Prayer Book, Paten and Chalice, and the School Roll containing the names of our students whom Father Victor prays for each day

It shouldn't be forgotten that our school was founded and built with the support of the Anglican Diocese of Wangaratta, and there has been a strong relationship between the two parties ever since

The appointment of Father Victor as the Cobram AGS School Chaplain will only serve to further enhance this partnership moving forward and ensure our Anglican Identity remains our heartbeat.

Father Victor’s Commissioning was indeed a very special celebration for both the school community and Diocese of Wangaratta Students in Years 3-12 attended the service, while a large congregation from St Margaret’s Parish Cobram were present to support Father Victor

Bishop Clarence E Bester presided over the service, with Archdeacon Neil Hicks assisting him. It was also wonderful to have The Reverend Cathy Carden (Cathedral College Wangaratta School Chaplain) in attendance

Father Victor said he could not be more thankful for the support he has received on his journey to becoming the Cobram AGS School Chaplain

“The warmth I received on the day from the Parish and school community was excellent My wife Elizabeth and two children Ruth and Nathan were there which was really special as they have always been a great support for me, especially since arriving in Australia from South Africa,” Father Victor said

“The people within the Parish are like a second family to me. They are beautiful people and they have really supported me because they know what me being School Chaplain means for the Parish and for the school and for the history of that relationship,” he added

Father Victor said he is excited by what is to come and the positive community and social outcomes that can be achieved through his work at the school

Cadence scoops Moira Shire's highest youth honour at Australia Day Awards

During the summer holidays, Year student and School Captain Caden Pang had the privilege of being nam the Moira Shire Young Citizen of th Year at the Shire’s Australia Day Aw Ceremony at Cobram Civic Centre

Cadence told the Crier that she wa slightly taken aback on the day afte hearing her name read out as the winner.

“There was definitely a bit of shock wasn’t really expecting it honestly, was such an honour I was very gra to be the recipient of the award,” Cadence said

Cadence continues a great traditio Cobram AGS students winning this award; a symbolic nod to the continued commitment of our students when it comes to upholding the school’s core values of Integrity, Endeavour and Community

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 such as our Open Night and the Cobram Antique Fair last year

Cadence told the Crier that she decided to apply for the award after seeing an advertisement inviting nominations She described it as a straightforward process and encouraged other students to consider applying next year

“I basically just submitted all my achievements and community involvements. I saw the award category being advertised and my mum actually encouraged me to apply and told me I had nothing to lose so I have her to thank really "

While the award is obviously great external recognition for her efforts within the community and at school, Cadence said it would help add extra merit and substance to her professional resume which will be beneficial when she begins the process of applying for universities and then employment down the track

Cadence has steadily been adding academic and community achievements to her resume throughout her secondary school journey

Cadence has regularly sat ICAS assessments and competed in public speaking competitions She believes challenging herself in these endeavours are invaluable experiences that help not only her schooling, but her general confidence

Hollie gets an unexpected surprise from La Trobe University

Year 12 student Hollie Percy has excitingly received an early offer from La Trobe University Shepparton to study a Diploma of Teacher Education

A Diploma of Teacher Education is basically the first year of a bachelor degree, meaning Hollie can transition directly into the second year of a Bachelor of Education with full credit if she decides to pursue that pathway

Considering it is still so early in the year, Hollie is unsure if she will accept the offer or not but she told the Crier that La Trobe is certainly one of her first preferences

In many ways, this is a compelling opportunity for Hollie as she has always held a passion for helping others and children especially.

If she decides to pursue a career in teaching, Hollie would ideally like to work in a rural area having grown up in Cobram

One of the great benefits of undertaking a Diploma of Teacher Education is that it offers the individual great flexibility and the opportunity to progress into either a Bachelor of Education (Primary), Bachelor of Education (Secondary) or Bachelor of Early Childhood

At this stage, Hollie is leaning towards primary teaching having been heavily influenced by her mother Marese

“My mum works as a primary school teacher at St Joseph’s in Cobram and she inspires me with how she helps her students every day,” Hollie said.

Hollie also expressed her fascination with the study of child development and psychology Her VCE subjects are English, General Maths, Health and Human Development, Psychology and Food Technology, noting that her favourite subject is Psychology with Mrs Roache

"I’m really interested in children's psychology Looking at how kids develop is something that I find really interesting,” Hollie told the Crier

With universities bringing forward their early offers this year, Hollie encouraged her fellow Year 12 classmates to consider applying, saying “there’s no harm in trying” and pointing to the fact she was unsure if she was going to get a formal offer from La Trobe but decided to apply anyway. She added that students shouldn’t be deterred by having to go through the application process

“Jade (Careers Advisor) explained the form to me and I just had to fill it in and also provide a signed letter from one of my teachers It was a really easy process,” Hollie reflected

From the classroom to the job site: Ned finds his spark

His average day at work mostly consists of doing ceiling fans, power points and running cables through walls for the other electricians As he’s not yet qualified, he can’t do switch boards but can pretty much handle anything that’s cut off and has no power to it

Ned told the Crier that he is enjoying the scope of work at Auselec and enjoys getting to the bigger construction sites such as Cobram Primary School, with Auselec doing all their electrical work as part of the school’s redevelopment

“It’s really good because if you’re not as academic, doing a SBA gets you in the door to see whether or not this is something you really want to do You pretty much have two years to figure out if this is the right pathway for yourself and even if it’s not, you still have the chance to obtain your VCE at the end of those two years and you can choose a different pathway.”

After a promising start to life as an electrician, Ned is now looking forward to getting stuck into the theory side of the job as well as the hands-on stuff, with his TAFE studies commencing in May

For Year 11 student Ned Bugge, undertaking a School Based Apprenticeship (SBA) this year has further sparked his passion for electronics and reassured him that he is on a career trajectory that best serves his skills and interests

For his SBA, Ned is currently completing a Cert III in Electrotechnology, working one day per week at Auselec in Cobram. The opportunity arose at Auselec as Ned does pistol shooting with the business owner, Damien Sfetcopoulos So far, Ned is loving his time on the tools

“I enjoy it, it’s really good I like being outside and I like it because I’m in different spots all the time and doing different things all the time. My favourite thing about the job besides the work itself is probably moving around and meeting new people,” Ned told the Crier

For Ned, the idea of pursuing a career in an electrical field has always seemed logical

“I’ve always liked electronics and in my free time I’ve done little robotics and wiring and stuff like that,” he said

With workplace safety paramount in a field such as electrical, Ned told the Crier that he is learning plenty about the compliance side of the job, saying that he has to do a safety induction at the big construction sites where there is higher risk

“They (Auselec) are really good and make sure you know where the hazards are, tell you what is going on for the day and stuff like that ”

Ned said applying for a SBA was relatively simple and involved a meeting with Cobram AGS Careers Advisor Jade Drew, who guided him through the process

Ned told the Crier that opting to do a SBA has proven to be a perfect fit for him and he mentioned some of the advantages he has noticed which other students may wish to consider when assessing their pathway options

Ned will do his TAFE in blocks which will amount to one week of study every six weeks

P&F pop up uniform shop proves popular for Cobram AGS community

Over the summer holidays, our Parents and Friends (P&F) Committee devised a brilliant plan to run a 'pop up uniform shop' at the Welcome Evening and family BBQ early in Term One The idea was to collect donated uniform items and sell them at heavily discounted prices

Such was its success in raising over $500 for the school, they decided to run another two pop up shops over the course of the Parent Teacher Interviews at the end of term, raising another $500!

The P&F did a brilliant job coordinating these pop up shops and a lot of work went into ensuring there were plenty of uniform options for our school community to choose from

The P&F would like to thank everybody who made these pop up shops possible by donating uniform items The P&F is planning to run another shop later in the year to allow new families to buy uniform items for the 2024 school year.

P&F members Jaime Mete and Renae Riedell at the pop up shop during Parent Teacher Interviews.

Get to know Elissa Raco

Early in Term One we welcomed aboard Elissa Raco Elissa is our new Science Laboratory Technician and she was kind enough to take part in a Q&A.

1 Tell us three facts about yourself (interesting or otherwise)

Cobram is my home town

I attended the local Primary School and Secondary College

I like to bake

2 What does your new role at Cobram AGS entail?

As the Science Laboratory Technician, I’m essentially the backbone of the Science department (or behind the scenes as the students say)

I make sure the relevant equipment is ready for practical lessons for students in Years 7 to 12 I'm also responsible for doing stocktake and ordering consumables, products and experimental equipment that is required to ensure each practical lesson can run smoothly

3 Please educate our readers about your past professional experiences What has led you to working at Cobram AGS?

I worked for the food manufacturing company Kraft for 17 years Kraft produces foods such as Vegemite, peanut butter, cheese sticks, cheese slices, Philadelphia Cream Cheese and many more!

I worked at the Strathmerton Plant for eight years from 2000 and then transferred to the Port Melbourne Plant in 2008 and stayed for a little while longer. At the Strathmerton Plant I worked as a Laboratory Technician I started in the chemistry lab and worked together with the packaging and QMP labs as well as the microbiology lab When I transferred to the Port Melbourne Plant, I was in the R&D department and microbiology lab as a microbiologist, forming part of the quality team

4. What is the one thing you enjoy most about your job here?

The flexible work hours and I love being part of the lab environment

5. What qualities did you most admire in your favourite educator when you were a student?

(Either secondary school or primary)

In primary school I had two beautiful teachers who were very caring towards all the students and one liked to have a little chuckle which made the classroom a fun place to be

6 Since you have started your employment here, has anything about the school surprised you?

The day-to-day running of a school and what's involved has been fascinating to discover

Harmony Day unites school community

At the end of term we celebrated Harmony Day. This is always a special day as we come together as a community to celebrate the diversity within our school.

As part of the festivities, we were lucky enough to hear from Father Victor Adams, who spoke about his experience of moving from South Africa to Australia.

To really get in the spirit of the day, students were encouraged to bring a dish from their culture to eat at lunchtime. After the formal part of the day, students participated in a range of cultural games from around the world, which were organised and managed by our Year 8 students who did a magnificent job.

Anglican Grammar School

Wax Museum brings Gold Rush back to life!

Our Year 5/6 cohort enjoyed learning about the Australian Federation and Gold Rush era throughout Term One As part of their learning, each student was tasked with creating a diorama display relevant to a historical figure from that period of time These dioramas then went on display in the PAC as part of a 'Wax Museum'

For their assessment, the students came to school dressed in a costume reminiscent of their character and had to deliver an oral presentation to their teacher Mrs Rathbone/Mrs Williams, as well as other students and parents who were visiting the display

The students did an outstanding job with their attention to detail and it was obvious they put in a great deal of effort to bring their characters to life which enhanced the experience for those passing through the display. It was fantastic to see so many families come along to support the students

OpenDayshowcasesopportunitiesfornewstudents

Late in Term One we opened our doors to prospective students and families for our Open Day It is always a pleasure being able to showcase our school to both new and familiar faces and provide a small sample of what it is like being a student at Cobram AGS

We must make special mention of Colleen Rouse from our Education Support team who made a batch of delicious scones for morning tea with the assistance of Year 9 students Melissa Voeurn, Bonnie Bugge, Leah Willis, Talei Rickard and Evalee Royston. Year 10 students Lewis Brown, Abigail Brooker, Mackenzie Duhring and Ava Carlson also volunteered their time to assist with school tours which were very well received and provided great student insight

There will be further opportunities for prospective families and students to visit our school and learn more about the programs we offer including Information Nights and Taster Days, so stay tuned for details regarding those

Cobram

Cadence does Cobram Lions proud at V6 Public Speaking Final

The final component of the competition which made up 20% of the participants score was a preprepared five-minute speech.

Cadence’s speech focused on the rising use of technology within schools and how this can have negative implications for students

“I said that even though technology is very helpful in the school environment, there are also a lot of bad points that come with it; for example, it can be distracting when used in schools, there is also some unsafe content on the internet that can be accessed and there are some health issues associated with a lot of technology use,” she said

During Term One, School Captain Cadence Pang had the opportunity to represent Cobram Lions Club at the Lions Public Speaking V6 District Final in Thurgoona

Cadence came up against four other students from the Hume region and had to present to five judges as part of the competition Firstly, she had to do an interview with the judges which made up 70% of her mark. She described this interview as largely conversational as the judges asked her questions about her life at school and the extra-curricular activities she participates in

Then came the most challenging part of the competition: Two, two-minute impromptu speeches which equalled 10% of her overall mark.

“They asked me for my opinions on world issues at the moment,” Cadence told the Crier

Making this part of the competition particularly challenging was the fact she only had two minutes to consider her responses upon the judges asking their question Cadence said that although it was challenging, the experience provided some valuable lessons which she could take forward and apply to other endeavours.

“It definitely got my confidence up a bit I learnt to talk in front of people with minimal preparation and also how to present myself properly for interviews The judges actually gave me feedback afterwards on my performance which will be helpful in the future when I’m doing formal interviews,” Cadence said.

Although she did not progress through to the next stage of competition, Cadence was grateful to receive support from the school community and Cobram Lions Club

“Janet Austin, the Cobram Lions Club Chairperson was actually present at the competition and she congratulated me afterwards and said it was good that I was having a go Mr Willett and Mr Thompson were also there on the day which was really nice of them as it was on a weekend ”

Cadence's good friend and fellow Year 12 student Natasha Smith was also there to watch her in action and support her Natasha is pictured with Cadence above

Anglican Schools Student Forum unites students from around the state

Below is a reflection written by Year 11 students Madison McDiarmid and Amelia Packer.

Midway through term one we were given the opportunity to participate in the Anglican Schools Student Forum held at Melbourne Grammar School, which we attended with Jet Munro (Year 8) and Ms Doyle

The day started with a Eucharist service in the Chapel of St Peter – a beautiful historical building within the grounds of the school.

We then enjoyed lunch in the dining hall After lunch, we gathered in the leadership centre with the other participants who were representing Anglican schools from across Victoria.

During the session, we discussed the significance of community within our schools, what we felt worked in an Anglican school, and what could be improved.

Out of these conversations, it was established that a sense of community was celebrated across all our schools The need for an inclusive and contemporary approach to Chapel was also discussed Another area for contemplation was the promotion of Anglican values within our schools

Of interest to us was the similarities and differences between the various schools, particularly comparing the larger city schools with our own smaller country school

We were proud to represent Cobram AGS and felt the experience was insightful and rewarding

Blast from the past: students return to the good ol' days

At the end of Term One our Year 1/2 students took a step back in time for their Immersion Day

During their History unit, the students learnt about some of the changes that have occurred in our local area in the past 100-150 years such as floods, new bridges and buildings, and also how technology has led to significant changes in our homes and at school

To fully immerse themselves in the experience of being a pupil from the olden days, the students and their teachers came to school dressed in clothing from a bygone era.

They also got to participate in several forgotten skills in modern times such as butter making, charcoal drawing and calligraphy, while also engaging in popular children's games from the day such as marbles and knuckles!

Foundation students feel the magic of 'big school'

The beginning of a new school year always brings with it a sense of excitement and anticipation for our students These feelings are even more pronounced for our Foundation students on their very first day of school - one of life's great milestones!

Cobram Anglican Grammar School

Community Corner

Live4Life shines a light on youth mental health

Once again we are proud to be participating in the Moira Live4Life initiative and we had an amazing day at our Year 8 launch 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 a great job introducing the Year 8 cohort to what the Live4Life program is all about, as well as outline some of the things they will learn throughout the year.

After a series of presentations detailing how the program is making a difference to the lives of young people in the regions, the students split off into groups and rotated through several activities including face painting, Jenga, connect four and biscuit decorating!

Year 9s provide digital mentorship

Twice during the term our Year 9 Service class ventured down to Cobram Community House to get actively involved in the Digital Mentor Program

The aim of this program is to help and support elderly community members by building their confidence and skills using digital technology such as computers, the internet and mobile devices

Our students were on hand to provide support to the community members present and answer any questions they had relating to the use of these technologies. In an ever-changing digital landscape, this program is a fantastic initiative and one we look forward to assisting with more in the future!

‘Youth Stop’ donation

On the final day of Term One, we had a gold coin donation Through the generosity of our families and carers, we were able to donate over $380 dollars to the new ‘Youth Stop’ building This was previously the Youth Op Shop on Bank Street This is a new meeting point where the youth of Cobram can convene with their friends

ANZAC Appeal

Whilst we are on the topic of fundraisers, we must thank the members of our school community who kindly donated to the RSL’s ANZAC Appeal by purchasing a badge

We sold virtually a full box worth of badges and raised several hundred dollars in the process which was donated to the RSL's Patriotic Fund.

Teen Mental Health First Aid training

Our entire staff have now completed Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training, which was led by licensed instructor David Mellington.

This training program is designed to provide practical skills-based education to equip whole school communities with the skills and confidence to identify and respond to mental health problems or crises in young people

The MHFA training was conducted over two day-long sessions during which David presented information on various mental health conditions experienced by young people, such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders He also taught our staff how they can practically implement the mental health first aid action plan ALGEE in situations where we suspect someone is experiencing a mental health crisis or showing early signs of a mental health illness. The ALGEE action plan is provided below

A - Assess for risk of suicide or harm

L - Listen non-judgmentally

G - Give reassurance and information

E - Encourage appropriate professional help

E - Encourage self-help and other support strategies

The art of kindness

Throughout Term One, our Year 1/2 students have been learning about the importance of being kind to people they don’t know as part of the Bounce Back program.

The students created beautiful pictures and wrote letters about themselves, including their hobbies and their favourite things for the residents at Cobram Regional Care.

The residents of Cobram Regional Care were delighted to receive the students’ letters and pictures from Ms Bate and they are already looking forward to future opportunities of engagement.

Cobram Anglican Grammar School

Cobram AGS community unites to launch 2023 school year

We experienced an incredible turn out for our 2023 'Welcome Evening' at school. It was great to convene as a school community after the summer holidays and in particular, welcome our new families and guardians into the fold

The temperature sored and the snags and burgers were certainly sizzling, while our Ukulele Club delivered a great performance for the crowd of onlookers, and the queue seemed to be never ending for 'Funky Faces' face painting The parents versus students game of dodgeball was particularly epic and a great way to end the night

This evening wouldn’t have been possible without the assistance of our students in Years 11 and 12 who volunteered in various roles throughout the night, as well as our staff

Cobram Anglican Grammar School

2023 Year 6 House Leaders revealed after peers have their say

This term we had a group of Year 6 students apply for House Leader positions This involved candidates stepping before their fellow house members to detail why they would make a good House Leader

Following a voting process within each house, the following students were named as House Leaders:

Cowell

Hayley Lebner

Kohen Haddrell

Parkes

Tia Hyde

Kasey Trembath

Farrer

Emily Collins

Sebastian Pate

Year 12 Retreat lays foundations for the year ahead

Our Year 12 students ventured to the historical Goldrush town of Beechworth for their Retreat and Study Skills Camp in week one of term

This is an annual event that helps each student lay a platform for the year ahead

The Retreat allowed each student to consider what is in store for their final year of school and establish clarity around their goals and desired outcomes for the year

The students were fortunate to hear from motivational speakers including our very own Educational Psychologist, Dr Kevin Quin, and Candace Potter, a senior Psychology teacher at Cathedral College Wangaratta

Candace and Kevin talked to the group about goals, motivation, stress, support and balance

The students were involved in a special moment where they got to read a letter written by their parents/carers which outlined their hopes and dreams for their young person in 2023.

The students then wrote a letter to themselves about what they hope the year will bring

The group also worked together to create a Year 12 code of conduct, they attended a Liturgy service and were presented with their Year 12 rugby jumpers which is always a momentous occasion

Importantly, the group also got to enjoy some downtime and bonding during the Retreat, such as visiting the old Beechworth Gaol and exploring the beautiful landscape of Woolshed Falls

Cobram Anglican Grammar School

Stanyer

Thomas Nye

Vanessa Voeurn

From Mr Keith Willett

Dear families and guardians,

Term One at Cobram AGS was an exciting time for students and staff alike.

The term commenced with a Welcome BBQ which provided an opportunity for new and returning students and their families to meet and socialise with teachers, staff, and fellow students.

The BBQ was a great success, with attendees familiarising themselves with our school and engaging in fun activities

Throughout the term, students have been actively involved in a range of cocurricular activities and events

Anglican Identity With Ms Shea Doyle

In the midst of the business of Term One, we 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

In the last week of term 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

The Swimming Carnival, lunch time clubs and after school Homework Club have been some examples of the opportunities on offer at our school

A real highlight of the term was the visit to Perth for ASC Schools Week This week-long celebration of ASC schools provided an opportunity for a group of our students to showcase their talents, learn new skills, engage in community building activities and form new connections with students from other schools.

The appointment of Father Victor Adams to the role of School Chaplain has also been a wonderful development for Cobram AGS

Earlier this term, we officially welcomed Father Victor Adams to our Cobram AGS family as he took up his role of School Chaplain

The students have enjoyed his engaging and inspiring Chapel Services and have relished getting to know him as he has visited their RAVE classes and joined them in the playground during our recess and lunch breaks

In March, we also saw a small group of Senior School students represent their peers at the Anglican Schools Student Forum hosted by Melbourne Grammar.

The day provided students from Anglican schools across Victoria with the opportunity to share their ideas and perspectives around being a part of a faith-based education community.

They discussed and affirmed what they appreciated about their schools, as well as what they felt needed to improve in this space We look forward to using the feedback provided by these students to inform future planning

Father Victor’s presence has contributed significantly to a constant and vibrant reminder of the importance of our Anglican Identity and the elements that underpin this, which are fundamental to the manner in which our school operates

Looking ahead, we are excited to embark on Term Two, which promises to be equally stimulating and engaging. We are committed to providing our students with a challenging and supportive learning environment, where they can achieve their full potential.

Term One at Cobram AGS was both a successful and productive period, with students and staff rising to the challenges and opportunities presented I was thoroughly impressed with the adaptability and application of our students in all facets of school life

We look forward to continuing our journey together as a school community in the coming term and beyond.

Our involvement in the launch of the Moira Live4Life initiative for 2023 has demonstrated the commitment of our community to improving the mental health of our young people

Our enthusiastic Live4Life Crew made up of a small group of Year 9 students, have worked tirelessly to promote the program and act as proud ambassadors for the important initiative

We look forward to both our Year 8 and Year 11 cohorts undertaking their Teen Mental Health First Aid Training in Term Two

Junior School Report With Mrs Fiona Clark

Hello everyone,

Reflecting on Term One, I wish to thank each and every one of our parents and carers for your connection to our school and for the commitment and hard work you show every day in supporting your children to be ready for learning

An incredible amount of learning mixed in with various school events have taken place during this time

How fortunate that our programs and events unfolded as planned – a far cry from the COVID years

We ended a fantastic term that saw some significant accomplishments, with our Foundation students beginning their schooling and settling into their learning spaces with their peers and new teachers.

This entire cohort have begun their learning with rigor and intent and we have all worked in unison to ensure a great start to the year

Senior School Report With Mr John Thompson

Is it possible for a term to both feel like it has gone very quickly but also taken a long time? Because that is certainly the feeling from my end, as we have done so much this term already, but so many things are on the horizon for the rest of the year and beyond.

First and foremost, I want to thank the school community for your welcome as I start my role as Head of Senior School. While I have had a connection to this school since 2013 as a parent of children here, the work is definitely different from this desk, but the students, parents, and staff of the school have been incredibly supportive of me in this new role, so a huge thank you to everyone.

In the first term of this year, we have seen our school community come together for a number of events. As always, these act as absolute highlights of the year, not just the term

Some of the most memorable from my perspective include:

Some students have required additional support to assist their learning, and our teachers and education support staff have worked tirelessly to make this happen, and for that, I applaud and thank them.

The Foundation Parent Information Evening and Parent Teacher Interviews provided an opportunity for teachers and families to form or consolidate valuable relationships so that collectively we can best support our young people in their learning adventures.

Assemblies and Chapel have exemplified inclusivity and belonging Not just fitting in, but navigating what it is to be authentic and how we can continue to encourage an environment that enables it

Chapel complimented Harmony Week, which carries an important message of belonging and inclusivity Three Year 1/2 students Ari Zanotto, Valerie Strauss and Karla Hindson kindly read passages in relation to inclusivity:

"Whether it's at school or the workplace, at our many cultural or sport centres, we share an aspect of your culture, engage in meaningful conversations, make an effort, and learn something new "

Our Year 6 House Leaders continued to be enthusiastic in representing student voice by providing fun alternatives to typical lunchtime activities

In Term One we saw Tia Hyde and Kasey Trembath (Parkes), Hayley Lebner and Kohen Haddrell (Cowell), Thomas Nye and Vanessa Voeurn (Stanyer), and Emily Collins and Sebastian Pate (Farrer) organise paper plane throwing competitions, dodgeball, closet kick and chalk art on the basketball court

The Junior School students loved getting involved in these activities and mingling with other students outside of their regular friendship groups

Amongst all of this, the regular school program has gone on! The Year 12s began the year with their Beechworth Retreat but quickly settled into the life of classes, study, and SACs

The rest of the Senior School followed suit and it is so pleasing that when I walk around the campus and into classes, I see the overwhelming majority of our students focused and applying themselves diligently

• The cheer for the first race of students hitting the water for our Swimming Carnival was unlike anything I have heard during my time in education. It was also pleasing to take the trophy in the teacher's race, but I am sure that without the weight of a handicap disadvantage, Mr Smith will bounce back stronger next year

• Our Welcome Night and Open Day were fantastic events, celebrating the special community we have and inviting others to join what we all know and love

• My first Senior School Assembly has been and gone. The huge volume of certificates I was able to hand out on the day is a testament to the wonderful students we have at the school.

With all of that said, Term Two starts at a rapid pace for the Senior School as we ramp up our Careers pathway planning and begin our Year 7 Transition days

With a nine week term to look forward to and so much to do, it's going to be another jam-packed term of events in the Senior School at Cobram AGS!

Careers Report With Mrs Jade Drew

What a great start to 2023 we have had! The vibe around the school has been very uplifting. Over the years we have had an increasing number of students participating in alternative programs as part of their Senior School program and this year is no exception

We currently have around 25% of our Senior School students combining Vocational Education and Training (VET), School Based Apprenticeship/Traineeship (SBAT) or Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) as part of their program. Term One has been a period underpinned by adaptability as these students learn how to navigate a new learning structure

Term One has seen our Year 7, 8 and 9 students spending time learning about who they are and what they like and dislike

We have also started the discussion with Year 9s about Morrisby testing/profiling which helps them better understand their strengths and areas of interest

Our Year 10 students are completing lessons on occupational health and safety and employer/employee rights in preparation for their work experience placement in June

Business Report: With Mrs Narelle Schreenan

Our Year 11 students have been focusing on setting and refining their goals and revisiting their career action plans, whilst our year 12 cohort are focusing on course exploration and post-secondary pathways to either employment or further study

In Term Two, we are particularly looking forward to ramping up communication around the new VCE Vocational Major which will be an option for students entering Year 11 in 2024 The same goes for Project Ready which will be available to Year 10 students in 2024 We are also in the early stages of piecing together a Sports Academy for for our aspiring elite athletes Please stay tuned for further announcements regarding these programs.

As you can see, we have many exciting options becoming available to our students in 2024 which I'm confident will lead to positive change in ensuring our students are future ready.

Over Term One, the staff at Cobram AGS have been working hard to maintain and improve the school's facilities. In an exciting development, the school is investing in a solar panel system to help offset electricity costs, and the new outdoor table tennis tables have been installed for students to enjoy at recess and lunch.

Whilst the work on the southern driveway is a big undertaking, it's pleasing to see that the school is taking steps to upgrade its infrastructure. Due to the expansion of the Tutor Program, we are undertaking efforts to fill vacancies in the Education Support team It's vital that we continue to have a strong team of educators and support staff to help our students succeed Maintenance works were carried out on the Gearing Wing during the Easter holidays to protect the building from weather damage and keep it looking fresh and attractive

Overall, we feel as though we are making positive strides in improving our facilities and programs which ultimately enriches the experiences of our students The recent Open Day for example was a terrific showcase of our school community and spirit which is continuing to thrive across all areas

Sports Recap With Mr Jon O’Dwyer

It has been an exhausting term of sport for many, where our magnificent young sportspeople have once again excelled in their chosen fields

It gives me great pleasure to highlight some of the wonderful achievements accomplished by our students

School Sports Victoria Team

Victoria trials

A number of our Junior School students have or are in the process of trialling for SSV Team Vic selection in the sports of cricket, AFL football, netball and soccer Kohen Haddrell, Oliver Benson and Archie Paterson (Year 6) trialled for the cricket and were unlucky not to progress to the next stage For those trialling for winter sports in Term Two, we wish you all the very best!

Extracurricular Sporting Achievements

A number of students and staff have achieved some remarkable outcomes in their chosen sporting fields over the first term Without going into detail, please find names of the students/staff and the sport they have excelled in It is quite incredible what our amazing athletes have been able to accomplish!

Athletics: Madison Simpson (regional representation)

Canoeing: Vivian ‘Clive’ Cromack (medalling at state event)

Cricket: Abigail Brooker, Oliver Benson, Jed Flanagan, Nathan Gossayn, Kohen Haddrell, Archie Paterson, Kohen Verner (Murray Valley Cricket Association grand finalist, MVCA team of the year selection, MVCA and other representative selection, local club awards)

Dance: Lacey Eddy (having a number of successes at major dance eisteddfod)

Equestrian: Charlotte Dickins (competing at State level)

Golf: Kohen Haddrell and Mr Thompson (competing in pro-am at NSW Open event, member of Pennant winning Tocumwal GC team)

Karate: A number of students grading with distinction

Lawn Bowls: Miss Bate, Mrs Post, Mrs Seccull, Mrs Smith, Mrs White, Mr O’Dwyer, Mr Smith (as well as Ms Hall and Mr White) (Social Bowls runners up, MVBA grand finalist, club Tournament winner)

Netball: Lucy Adkins and Mikayla Woosnam (Bendigo Academy of Sport participant, Murray Netball League representation/leadership position)

Soccer: Lachlan Pardy (Albury-Wodonga Football Association representation)

Swimming: Juliette Steel and Harlin Robbins (local competition, All Juniors Country Championships)

Tennis: Stefania Wright and Lucy Adkins (participation in Cobram Lawn Tennis Club Labour Day tournament, CLT awards)

What a terrific list of achievements! We are looking forward to hopefully building on this throughout the winter program

Next term will also see the Year 3-6 students involved in interschool sports with other local schools on a weekly basis each Friday, so stay tuned for more information regarding this

Lucy makes strides in in development squad

Year 9 student Lucy Adkins has recently achieved a significant milestone in her netball journey

She has made it into the Bendigo Academy of Sport netball program, which is a fantastic achievement for any aspiring netball player in this area

The Bendigo Academy of Sport is an elite program that aims to develop young talent through high level coaching and provide them with opportunities to take their game to the next level.

Lucy said the training will focus on improving each player’s skill development to prepare them for a tournament in Melbourne at the end of the program This tournament will offer participants a chance to get scouted further, which could lead to even more opportunities in the future

Championships

Although she didn't make the team due to being bottom-age, mooroopna put forward her name to train with the Bendigo Academy of Sport. She has since seized the opportunity with both hands

Lucy, who plays for Cobram locally, has been travelling to Shepparton roughly every three weeks as part of the program

Well worth the wait: Nathan goes big to hit first A-Grade century

They say good things come to those who wait Well that couldn’t be closer to the truth in a sporting context for budding cricketer

Nathan Gossayn

During a campaign of ups and downs where he opened the batting for Barooga Cricket Club in the Murray Valley Cricket Association A-Grade competition, it all finally came together for the Year 11 student when he plundered 139 runs against Deniliquin in the last game of the season

Nathan fondly recalls that magical day in Barooga and spoke about what he described as an almost “out of body experience”

“We won the toss and went out to bat first Riley (other opening batsmen) and I put on a good partnership and I finished the day on about 20 runs The next day Riley got out early and we were in a bit of a shambles and from there I really don’t know what happened, something just clicked and everything just came out of the middle of the bat,” Nathan told the Crier

Nathan can pinpoint a particular moment in his innings where he realised he was a genuine chance to break through for his maiden A-grade century in what had been his first full season playing at the level.

“I was on probably 40 runs and I hit a very nice one bounce four and I thought to myself, today’s the day,” he said

The squad is made up of players from Albury, Shepparton and surrounds. A busy player around the court, Lucy plays in the centre position in local netball

"There's a fair bit of running involved when you’re playing centre, but there and wing defence are the main positions I enjoy,” Lucy told the Crier

Lucy is keen to keep pushing herself to be the best she can be and see where her talent takes her.

"I'm very competitive and determined Playing netball is lots of fun, but I still try and take it seriously,” she said

With his previous highest score sitting at 60 runs, Nathan could have been forgiven for feeling nerves and a slight sense of trepidation as he was approaching his century Instead, he well and truly smashed through the barrier of doubt He described the feeling of reaching three figures as something he will always remember

“It (hitting the century) was very special It was a rough season for me individually as I didn’t score many runs so getting my first hundred was pretty awesome "

While he said there wasn’t much of a crowd at the game, his teammates rallied around him in the aftermath which made it even more special

During his marathon innings, Nathan faced close to 300 balls and spent roughly five hours at the crease, displaying great endurance and even better mental application which is so crucial in an opening batsmen’s tool kit

Nathan describes his batting style as more defensively minded, opting to push for singles and twos whilst remaining patient for the inevitable bad delivery from the opposing bowler instead of relying on power hitting which is almost the norm in modern cricket

While Nathan’s Barooga side went on to make the grand final, unfortunately they couldn’t quite get over the line against Nathalia Despite the disappointment, Nathan’s mighty knock of 139 will no doubt help him springboard into the 2023/24 season with a steadfast belief that he belongs at the level

Stanyer makes a splash by claiming Swimming Carnival title

It has been another fruitful summer for our swimmers Things kicked off with our Years 3-12 Swimming Carnival back in week two of term, where Stanyer House finished on top of the standings by three points to claim the title over Cowell!

Following our intraschool carnival, 14 Junior School and 18 Senior School students represented us at the Goulburn-Murray Divisional event

The Senior School squad did exceptionally well, winning the GMDSSV Challenge Shield for an unprecedented eleventh consecutive year! In addition, Harlin Robbins (Year 7) was named the 12/13 Boys Age Champion in an amazing individual effort Well done Harlin!

After the Divisional swim meets, five of our Junior School students qualified for the Hume Region event, while 14 Senior School students represented Cobram AGS at the secondary school equivalent

Although none of these students progressed to State level, each can be proud of their efforts for fronting up against some of the best young swimmers in the region and giving it a crack.

Overall, it was a tremendous effort by our swimming team to secure numerous accolades and achievements throughout Term One