The Crier Newsletter - Term Three 2023

The Crier

Cody defies physics on his way to one of Victoria's top education honours

Early in Term Three, Year 12 student Cody Lincoln received one of the highest honours in Victorian education – a Premier's VCE Award!

With different brackets of Premier’s Awards, 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 Among the 1000 attendees were Cody's parents Renee and Andrew, who proudly watched on as their son was presented with his award.

Also attending were Cobram AGS secondary school teachers Mr Gary Smith and Mrs Melonie Smith Both have taught Cody over the years and have been huge sources of encouragement.

Revelling in the afterglow of this rare achievement, Cody said it still hasn’t quite sunk in

“I am very proud to receive a Premier’s Award. I didn’t think it would happen and I certainly wasn’t aiming that high!

When I really stop and think about it, I realise it’s pretty special,” Cody told the Crier

Cody's faultless performance in Physics was all the more remarkable considering he was a Year 11 student at the time, demonstrating his exceptional grasp of the subject matter and his commitment to academic excellence from the outset of his VCE program.

A total of 331 awards were presented to commend the achievements of 300 high-achieving students Cody was one of just seven students from around the state who received a Study Award for Physics; and was the only student to receive the honour from a regional or rural school

While Cody acknowledges that students from rural areas are often disadvantaged compared to students in large metropolitan cities, he implored students from the country to rise to these challenges by simply working hard and utlising the expertise of their teachers in order to achieve their goals

“Don’t let it stop you Sure, we’re at a disadvantage compared to city students who may have private tutors but we still can achieve high results if we put our minds to it,” he said.

Cody added that his Premier’s Award wouldn’t have been possible without the unconditional support of some key people in his life

“I want to thank my parents and Mr and Mrs Smith especially for helping me achieve the award,” he said

Term Three Edition, 2023

The Newsletter of Cobram Anglican Grammar School

A lifetime's work recognised at Australian Education Awards

Cobram Anglican Grammar School's VCE Mathematics and Physics classes have long been a source of inspiration and achievement, and much of that success can be attributed to the remarkable teaching prowess of Mr Gary Smith

His dedication to the education industry and unwavering commitment to his students have earned him the prestigious title of Secondary School Teacher of the Year (Non-Government) at the 2023 Australian Education Awards

The awards ceremony, held on Friday 11 August, was a celebratory gathering at The Fullerton Hotel in Sydney. Educators from around the country gathered to recognise and honour exceptional individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of education

Mr Smith, a Barooga local, has been teaching for close to 38 years and has been a Physics, Specialist Mathematics, Maths Methods and Woodwork teacher at Cobram AGS since 2006

Attending the special evening with his wife Melonie, also a teacher at Cobram AGS, Mr Smith described the moment his name was read out as the winner as a mixture of joy and chaos.

“Apparently I had a huge smile on my face but I don’t really remember walking up to the stage to collect the trophy, it was just a complete blur,” Mr Smith said.

While it would be easy to get swept up in the euphoria of winning a professional award of such prestige, Mr Smith was quick to acknowledge the team around him at Cobram AGS.

“It’s nice to be individually recognised for what you’re doing but at the end of the day, I’m no different to most other teachers out there,” he said

“Everyone is plugging away doing the best they can in the limited time they have to prepare. I can only look good if there is a good team around me doing their job effectively.”

Mr Smith points to the foundations his wife Melonie puts in place, teaching Mathematics to the school’s secondary students to help prepare them for his VCE classes down the track

“I wouldn’t get the students coming into my classes and getting some of the results they achieve without what happens in the years before that,” he said.

Mr Smith was also quick to acknowledge the continued support he has received from the Cobram AGS school community and described it as a unique workplace that has brought out the best in his teaching

“This is a very unique school and we’ve got something pretty special here. The culture we have and some of the learning that takes place is amazing. I was ready to quit teaching when I left my previous role but this job came along and 18 years later, I’m still doing it.”

“Seeing these kids grow up and go on to do great things is pretty special There are some students I still keep in contact with who I taught many years ago and they’re doing really great so it’s nice to know you gave them a bit of a helping hand to get there,” Mr Smith said.

Cobram AGS Principal Mr Keith Willett expressed the school’s pride and delight in Mr Smith's achievement, highlighting his positive impact on both students and colleagues alike

“Gary has been an outstanding educator for many years and has had a profound impact on many students throughout his career To be the recipient of a national award of this significance is a testament to his ability to educate and inspire his students. Our school community is immensely proud of him,” Mr Willett said.

Gary Smith proudly poses with his trophy alonsgide wife Melonie and son Liam

Madison kicking goals with School Based Apprenticeship

“I was originally planning to do a certificate III at TAFE but they took out the course I wanted to do so Jade came up with the option of doing a SBA 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.

The rest is history as they say

“Personally, I think it’s the best decision I’ve made (undertaking a SBA) 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."

For Year 11 student Madison McDiarmid, choosing to pursue a School Based Apprenticeship (SBA) has been one of the best educational decisions she has ever made.

For her SBA, Madison is currently working at Skillzone Sports as a trainee coach under the guidance of business owner Adam Gatcum, who also happens to be a Cobram AGS parent

Madison has 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 traineeship) but I think working with the kids is the best part. It’s very rewarding and the kids are fun to work with,” Madison said

Now thriving in her SBA with Skillzone, Madison highlighted the importance of Senior School students engaging with the course counselling process and utilising the expertise of the school’s Careers Advisor Mrs Jade Drew in order to find the right individual pathway

She told the Crier that she hadn’t previously contemplated doing a SBA beforehand, not realising there was an option to do so until she started looking at subject options during the course counselling process

"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,” she added

In terms of her SBA structure, Madison spends one day per week with Skillzone during the school term and does a couple of extra days during the school holidays. With regard to her certificate III, she typically has a workshop each Thursday which is usually conducted via Zoom.

For students considering going down the SBA pathway, Madison offered some simple advice to help juggle school and work effectively

“Have a rough structure of what days you do certain work on and find something that works for you,” she said

Cedric’s overseas mission

Between 1 September and 9 September, Year 8 student Cedric Pang enjoyed an amazing international experience, undertaking mission work in Vanuatu Cedric visited the South Pacific nation with his father Dr Chee Pang, with the trip organised by Care Ministries International Australia

Cedric had a mixture of experiences that involved him working with Care Ministries’ medical team as well as their teaching team. With the medical team, he was responsible for registering patients and directing them to the right place He also looked after the patients' children when they were with the doctors

With the teaching team, he was the teachers' assistant which involved helping students in class. How wonderful to see one of our students out in the global community serving others!

Year 9 students ready to tackle fresh project in 2024

Cobram AGS is embracing the opportunity to give more secondary students the chance to develop essential workplace skills through ‘Project Ready’

The hands-on life and work readiness program will feed into the Year 10 curriculum as an elective option in 2024, providing an additional pathway opportunity for students who enjoy a practical style of learning

These students will have the option to complete a formal VET qualification that provides two credits towards the VCE and VCE Vocational Major.

With Project Ready being an established and mature program which has been implemented in other schools, Cobram AGS Career Advisor Mrs Jade Drew said it has the capacity to be a fantastic stepping stone for students as they progress through the senior secondary years and eventually transition into the workforce or further study

“Project Ready’s greatest strength is its approach to student development. The program has a really strong focus on fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment,” Mrs Drew said.

“There has been positive feedback from students who have been involved in the program at other schools, mainly around the opportunities they get exposed to through industry, community groups and guest speakers. These experiences obviously have a huge impact on assisting with future aspirations and pathway planning,” Mrs Drew added

While the program is broadly suited to all students, the students who would potentially derive the most benefit would be those who have not yet developed work readiness skills, students who are unsure of their pathway, or students who want to discover more about themselves and learn skills that will help in their transition postsecondary school

One student set to be in the initial intake is Gracie Rice (Year 9).

Harbouring ambitions of one day becoming a hairdresser, Gracie believes doing Project Ready will provide a good platform to help her prepare for life beyond the classroom Gracie told the Crier that engaging the help of Mrs Drew was highly valuable in helping her navigate the subject selection process

“I basically just had a discussion with Jade and mentioned that I want to be a hairdresser and she recommended that I do Project Ready as an elective as it’s more a hands-on style of learning which is obviously pretty relevant to hairdressing,” Gracie explained

Fellow Year 9 student Ella Michelotti hopes to eventually join the police force and she spoke of her excitement at joining the new program

“I think it’s going to be really helpful as we’ll be doing a lot of group work outside of the traditional classroom environment as well as taking on different projects in the community,” Ella said.

Mrs Drew is confident that Project Ready will help bridge an important gap between traditional classroom learning and the need to develop personal and professional skills that employers value.

“Not only do we believe the program will provide valuable skills and knowledge that can be missing from a traditional classroom environment, it will also assist students to develop the job readiness and life skills necessary to successfully transition from secondary school to work or further education.”

“The program also contains the added bonus of allowing students to complete a Certificate II in Active Volunteering, which provides credits towards the VCE or VCE Vocational Major pathway,” Mrs Drew added.

Gracie Rice and Ella Michelotti are looking forward to the launch of Project Ready in 2024.

Foundation to Year 4 students take Athletics Carnival in their stride

With a new and improved Athletics format this year, our Foundation to Year 4 students had a wonderful time immersing themselves in a range of fun events such as running, long jump, high jump, triple jump, shot put and discus!

The Age Champions were:

5/6 Girls: Daisy Aston

6 Boys: Archie McIntyre and Ted Watkins (equal tie)

7 Girls: Meg Kelly

7 Boys: Veresa Cossar

8 Girls: Aysha Verner

8 Boys: Frankie Lean

9 Girls: Scarlett Lean

9 Boys: Oliver Adkins

10 Girls: Bridie Iskov

10 Boys: Jack Watkins

A big congratulations to every student who participated on the day!

Year 5 to 12 students burn up the track

The Barooga Recreation Reserve was alive with energy, excitement and plenty of colourful outfits as students from Year 5 to 12 gathered for their Athletics Carnival. There was a strong sense of competitive spirit as our young athletes showcased their talents in a variety of events

Following the two carnivals and plenty of determined efforts in different disciplines, there could only be one overall house winner and that title fell to Cowell who defeated Stanyer in a well contested battle, 2220 points to 2058

The Age Champions were:

11 Female: Lexie Bruce

11 Male: Kohen Verner

12 Female: Belle Haberfield and Madison Simpson (equal 1st)

12 Male: Seb Pate and Kohen Haddrell (equal 1st)

13 Female: Lauren Charlton-Parker

13 Male: Harlin Robbins

14 Female: Maddie Rice

14 Male: Alex Preston

15 Female: Miley Driscoll

15 Male: Sam Trembath

16 Female: Alina Corso

16 Male: Baden Riedell

Open Female: Madi McDiarmid

Open Male: Thomas Corso

Foundation students notch 100 days of school and celebrate in style!

A palpable buzz of excitement enveloped our Foundation classrooms on 7 August as our young learners came into school transformed into little versions of the elderly. An ode to the passage of time, this was no ordinary day – it marked a significant milestone in their educational voyage – 100 days of school!

Throughout the day, our youngest learners displayed their creativity through a tapestry of activities, all connected to the number 100 This memorable celebration not only stands as a testament to the progress achieved during their learning pursuits, but also to the new friendships forged with their teacher and classmates

We look forward to the continuation of this educational journey as our Foundation students move through the year levels and keep growing academically, personally and emotionally.

Reducing the stigma: Live4Life Expo provides valuable mental health information

On 7 September, our Year 8 students attended the Moira Live4Life Expo at Cobram Sports Stadium.

Below is a snapshot of what some of our Year 9 Live4Life Crew Members who helped organise the Expo had to say about the event:

Savannah Kernaghan: “The 2023 Live4Life Expo was really successful I enjoyed being a part of the Expo introduction and public speaking with other Crew Members We were even able to check out other stalls and use the photo booth in our breaks.”

Olivia Thompson: “I loved the 2023 Live4Life Expo, it all went well I loved meeting so many new people and I made so many new friends

I was a part of the public speaking and helped out with the photo booth and I could tell the year 8s had so much fun.”

Lyra Mete: “I thought that the 2023 Live4Life Expo was so much fun It was so cool that I got to be a part of such an amazing day I love that I got to interact with so many people, and made so many new friends. I helped out at the WellWays stall and also took photos of the different schools and some of the Crew ”

Matilda Waser: “Year 8s from eight different schools came and celebrated learning their teen mental health training at the Expo. I took photos and then helped out at the Freeza store Live4Life is so fun and I have made so many new friends ”

Sam Stillard: “I loved the 2023 Live4Life Expo because it helped me get to know the other Crew Members a lot better and I got to meet a lot of people from other schools I believe my public speaking and photography went very well and I was happy with the turn out of the event as a whole ”

Sports Academy is ready to roll in 2024

“Our long-term focus is to build strong partnerships with elite coaches and organisations to ensure the Academy members get the required level of exposure to the specific sport they are competing in,” Mr O’Dwyer told the Crier.

Another factor which inspired Cobram AGS to launch the Academy is accessibility Mr O’Dwyer is cognisant of the heightened challenges budding athletes face if they live in a rural community such as ours

“Being based in a rural community like we are, it is extremely difficult for aspiring athletes to achieve their sporting dreams due to limited resources, the travel involved for families and access to elite coaching and pathway programs ”

Cobram AGS is at the dawn of an exciting new era. We are gearing up to launch our inaugural Sports Academy in 2024 The Academy will assist our talented rising sports stars to reach their full potential in their chosen sport

The seed for creating a Sports Academy was planted last year at Presentation Day, in which 28 students were recipients of sports awards for making it to state level of competition or higher in their chosen discipline; underscoring the scope of athletic talent within the school

Academy members will be in astute hands, with the program being overseen by the school’s Head of Sport, Mr Jon O’Dwyer Mr O’Dwyer has 23 years’ worth of teaching experience and has been involved in the cut and thrust of elite sport at different levels having played football for the Sydney Swans Under 19s, as well as being involved with the Greater Western Sydney Giants Academy in a coaching capacity for the past 11 years, looking after players from the Murray region

Mr O’Dwyer said the program would initially be open to students in Years 7, 8, 9 and 10, and would be suitable for young athletes currently playing competitively and doing well in their chosen sport.

The framework of the Academy means it will be embedded into the secondary school curriculum as an elective option This will see participants complete training sessions before and after school, as well as theory work in timetabled classes

The core focus will centre on general skill development, strength and conditioning, nutrition and from a theoretical point of view, sports psychology and physiology. In this elite environment, students will be equipped with the foundational skills and knowledge required of them to prosper in their chosen sport

Mr O’Dwyer said Cobram AGS will look to utilise a model where it leverages strategic partnerships with reputable sporting organisations and coaches to achieve the best possible outcomes for Academy members.

“That’s where we really want to step in and provide our students with opportunities to develop in an elite environment Ultimately it will be up to them to see how far they want to take it,” Mr O’Dwyer said

Looking ahead, Mr O’Dwyer said he can’t help but get excited about what the Academy may be able to produce in the future, not just for the school, but for the broader local community

“Gazing into the crystal ball, it’s our ambition that we will eventually see students from the Academy go on to reach a professional level of sport. It’s super exciting to be in a position where we can help develop young athletes from our local region who harbour big aspirations and dreams ”

“We want to grow the Academy into something that people from our local community can be really proud of,” Mr O’Dwyer added.

To learn more about the Sports Academy, please scan the QR code below.

Passing the torch: Introducing our 2024 Student Leaders

After a thorough selection process, our 2024 Student Leadership team has been officially appointed

We were fortunate to have such an impressive pool of candidates vying for the opportunity to lead their peers and contribute to the school's growth.

We are fortunate to have an exceptional group of young adults who have demonstrated outstanding qualities throughout their academic journey with Cobram AGS.

The 2024 Student Leadership team is as follows:

School Captains: Amelia Packer and Madison McDiarmid

Captain of Anglican Identity: Nathan Gossayn

Captain of Community Service: Thomas Corso

Our new Student Leadership team will play a pivotal role in fostering a sense of unity and community among students, as well as championing important causes.

Cobram AGS Principal, Mr Keith Willett, told the Crier that the school is thrilled to have such excellent role models to lead the way in 2024

"Amelia, Madison, Nathan, and Thomas have consistently exhibited tremendous character and contributed positively to our school community in many areas throughout their time at Cobram AGS Their selection as official leaders of our school is well-deserved and I have no doubt that they will inspire and guide our school community to achieve great things in 2024,” Mr Willett commented.

Mr Willett also wished to thank every Year 11 student who put themselves forward during the application process

“The quality of candidates who expressed their interest in these positions was fantastic. All students involved in the selection process deserve commendation for their desire to lead our school,” he said.

We eagerly anticipate watching these students grow and prosper in their leadership roles over the course of the next year Congratulations to Amelia, Madison, Nathan, and Thomas on their well-earned appointments

Exceptional

In the penultimate week of Term Three, 44 Senior School students and two Year Six students travelled to Shepparton to participate in the Buroinjin Challenge as part of ASHEfest; a celebration of Indigenous culture and games.

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.

Our Year 7-8 team was able to chalk up a large win in the opening game of their round robin tournament, whilst the Year 9 team managed two wins across their games Unfortunately both of these teams narrowly missed out on a spot in the finals in their respective divisions but they had a great time competing against the Shepparton schools

Emerge

Leadership

ASHEfest throws down a challenge

Madison, Amelia, Nathan and Thomas are ready to lead the way in 2024

Cobram Anglican Grammar School

Get to know

Kristi Dalitz

At the beginning of the sc year, we welcomed aboar Dalitz who is working in o Education Support team.

Kristi was kind enough to part in this Q&A. Lets find how she is settling into lif Cobram AGS!

1 Tell us three facts abou yourself (interesting or otherwise).

I am married to Steven I have three boys – Lachie (24), Hamish (22) and Mitchell (20) I live on a farm in Yalca

2. What does your new role at Cobram AGS entail?

I am an Education Support Officer and help children in both Foundation classes, assisting with their day-to-day learning

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

I previously worked in the Early Childhood sector, including at Numurkah Preschool, Eileen Taylor Kindergarten and Punt Road Kindergarten and Childcare in Cobram.

I was looking for a change but wanted to remain in the education sector

Cameron and Hunter set for Japan expedition!

Brothers Cameron Harb (Year 7) and Hunter McMaster (Year 2) are readying themselves for the trip of a lifetime in the Term Three school holidays when they travel to Japan to take part in a series of soccer tournaments coordinated by the Coerver Academy; a global soccer coaching program.

Both Cameron and Hunter were involved with the Coerver Academy in Canberra, where they previously resided before relocating to Victoria. To be chosen for the trip to Japan, the boys participated in a four-day summer training camp back in Canberra and impressed the coaches enough to be selected

In many ways, Cameron has been waiting much of his young life for an opportunity such as this

considering he took up the round ball game at the tender age of just two.

He told the Crier that Hunter and himself are super excited for the trip

“There’s four different tournaments over there. The day after we arrive, we hit the ground running and get straight into the first tournament There are roughly five to seven games in each tournament depending on how far you progress,” Cameron explained.

Throughout the four tournaments, Cameron and Hunter will come up against Coerver Academy teams from other nations, as well as Japanese school teams The matches will be played in the cities of Osaka, Kobe, Nara and Kyoto.

is the one thing you enjoy bout your job here?

the interaction with students

es It has been nice seeing n that I used to care for, all up now. Staff and students y welcoming and friendly.

qualities did you most in your favourite educator ou were a student? (Either ary school or primary)

I remember my Year 1 teacher (Miss O'Callaghan) from Deniliquin South Public School. She was a very caring teacher.

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

Yes a few things:

The wide variety of specialist classes

Interaction between students of different ages

The general friendly atmosphere of the school community

The boys will spend 10 days in Japan in total, with eight of those consumed by either playing matches or training They will also spend one day at Universal Studios, and have one spare day to explore at their own leisure.

We wish the two boys all the best on their travels and look forward to hearing about their experiences once they return to school in Term Four!

Community Corner

House Leaders get their hands dirty in the name of environmental conservation

Early in Term Three, 12 of our Junior and Senior School House Leaders made their way to the Dutch Thunder Wildlife Rescue Reserve to help plant native trees and regenerate the saplings that were washed away in the recent floods This exercise tied in perfectly with Planet Arks National Schools Tree Day

Participating students were guided by Kylee Donkers from Dutch Thunder Kylee was on hand to run the students through the steps of how to plant the seedlings and explained the importance of regenerating bushland for the animals' habitat and health of the soil

There was plenty to do and the students warmed up quickly despite the foggy conditions. Tim from Yarrawonga Bunnings was also present to lend his expertise and knowledge around the use of the necessary products; blood and bone and seasol The students were a little surprised when Tim explained the origins of these products He supervised the planting and gave advice and encouragement to the students as they got stuck into it

The group came across many creatures whilst digging and foraging in the bush There were exclaims of scorpions, frogs, centipedes and other various bugs and insects By the end of the planting session, the students had their rhythm and worked beautifully as a team. The students were supplied with the necessary equipment like gloves and a broad brim hat that they were able to take home, along with their new-found knowledge of tree planting!

Father’s Day Breakfast sizzles

What an incredible morning our school community enjoyed at our annual Father’s Day Breakfast! It was lovely to come together to celebrate the influence so many special men have in the lives of our students.

A special acknowledgment goes out to the small army of student and staff volunteers who arrived at the break of dawn to prepare bacon and egg rolls and coffees for visitors to enjoy!

We would also like to say a massive thank you to Amcal Pharmacy, Supreme Meats, Noonans Showcase Jewellers, and Cobram Betta Home Living for kindly donating prizes to our lucky door raffle which was a great way to close out the morning

Cobram Anglican Grammar School

The Magic of Book Week sweeps through Cobram AGS

Our Book Week celebrations are an annual highlight that ignite an appreciation for literature within our school The centrepiece of these festivities is undoubtedly the Book Week Parade – a vibrant and colourful event where students and teachers come together to bring their favourite book characters to life!

It’s a great opportunity for students of all ages to showcase their imaginative and creative flair, but most importantly, have fun and enjoy the sense of community that comes with participating in a collective celebration

As always, there were some magnificent costumes and it was obvious many students went to great lengths to portray their character. Spider-Man and Wednesday Adams were two examples that proved popular choices among students

Other activities connected to Book Week included the Scholastic Book Fair and the Winter Reading Challenge. We thank every parent and guardian who supported our Library by purchasing an item at the Book Fair, and we certainly commend the students who participated in the Reading Challenge

Guitar guru Ruby strikes a chord with music students

At the beginning of Term Two our Music department received a major boost, with Ruby Wyatt-Carter coming onboard as a guitar teacher.

Ruby spends every Wednesday at our school delivering lessons to students across the Junior and Senior School Since joining us, Ruby has been thoroughly enjoying her time at the school and has a real passion for imparting her musical knowledge on aspiring guitar players

With 11 years’ of guitar-playing experience under her belt, Ruby is no stranger to the instrument. Like most budding guitarists, she started on acoustic guitar, ventured into electric guitar, and has now even taken up playing the bass

Currently, she has nine students whom she delivers half-hour lessons to and she has been suitably impressed with their application and willingness to learn.

“All the students listen in every lesson and I can tell that they have been practising at home I don’t need to ask if they’ve been practising, I can just tell that they have been because they’re learning new things every week,” Ruby told the Crier.

Parents and Friends (P&F) recap

Fundraising

Our major fundraiser during Term Three was the Father’s Day Stall, held over two days. We were fortunate to once again be well supported by our fabulous local suppliers, whom we sourced a large range of diverse gifts from A special mention to Mr McConnell and his Woodwork students for making a large number of key rings for the Stall! These were created using the school’s new laser cutter which was partially funded by the P&F!

Understanding the importance of not overwhelming her students when they are starting out, Ruby commences her lessons by teaching them the main recognisable parts of popular songs like ‘Smoke on the Water’ and ‘Seven Nation Army’, instead of diving into the entire song at once This approach helps build confidence and excitement in her students as they see their progress

Moreover, Ruby focuses on teaching her students different chords one at a time. This method allows them to understand the fundamentals of playing the guitar and gradually develop their skills. For Ruby, it is all about making sure her students enjoy then lessons and feel like they growing their skillset incrementally

Ruby regularly showcases her skills on the acoustic guitar as a member of her band, ‘The Murks’, a nod to their hometown Numurkah Ruby’s ongoing involvement in the music scene will no doubt inspire some of our musical students as to what is possible with continued practise and passion for the instrument.

When asked if anybody can learn the guitar, Ruby's answer was unequivocal: absolutely!

While Ruby’s lesson slots are currently full, there may be openings in the future. Please email trish.chmiel@cags.vic.edu.au to register your child’s interest.

In total, we were able to generate a profit of $1066 which was a fantastic outcome Thank you to the families who supported this fundraiser We also held two ‘pop up’ uniform shops on the same nights as Parent Teacher Interviews.

How is the money supporting our students?

The funds generated through the pop up shops are being used to purchase aprons for the Woodwork room. We are still working through requests for how we will utilise the funds generated from the Father’s Day Stall

Upcoming events

Our next major event is our Trivia Night on Friday 13 October. There will be tables of eight people maximum, and the evening is open to families, guests and Senior School students. Scan the QR code to register for the event!

Get involved with the P&F

Our meetings are casual, informative, and only require an hour of your time each month (rotating between online and in-person)

Ruby and Year 2 student Zavier Latina during a lesson.

Principal’s Message

From Mr Keith Willett

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I trust this edition of the Term Three Crier finds all in good spirits and health

As we reflect upon the accomplishments and milestones of this term, I am filled with gratitude for our remarkable school community

This term has been marked by exceptional achievements, dedicated teachers, and the enthusiastic participation and support of our students and families in a wide range of activities.

We were thrilled to acknowledge the outstanding achievement of Cody Lincoln, who attained a perfect study score of 50 in Physics during the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE). Cody's exemplary dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence earned him a highly prestigious VCE Premier's Award. His achievement stands as an inspiration to all of us and reminds us of what we can achieve through hard work and determination

Another significant highlight of this term was the recognition of Mr Gary Smith, who was awarded the Secondary Teacher of the Year Award for non-government schools at the Australian Education Awards Mr Smith's contributions to education over the years have been invaluable, and his passion for teaching has left an indelible mark on our school

This term, we celebrated numerous sports events, including our highly successful Athletics Carnivals, as well as the sports days with Nathalia Primary School and St Francis Primary School.

Additionally, we applauded the remarkable achievements of Bonnie Bugge, Evalee Royston, and Peyton Royston, who became National Champions at the Schoolaerobics Australian National Championships Other significant community engagements included our participation at the Moira Shire Citizenship Ceremony and the Vietnam Veterans Ceremony.

We received great value from the Cyber Safety Education Program conducted by Victoria Police, which equipped our students with essential skills and knowledge to navigate the digital world safely

And it was fantastic to have student leaders from both the Junior School and Senior School take part in a tree planting excursion in support of the Dutch Thunder Wildlife Shelter organisation.

Our school community came together to celebrate Father's Day at our annual breakfast, while our students fully embraced the activities attached to R U OK? Day, emphasising the importance of connection, empathy, and support within our school network

And finally, to our Year 12 cohort, on behalf of our teachers and students, I would like to wish you all as you conclude formal classes and prepare for your final exams in October and November.

The journey of these students at Cobram AGS has been one of growth, learning, and friendship, and we have no doubt that they will achieve great success in their future endeavours

As we head into the final stage of the school year, I look forward to the adventures that await us in Term Four.

Thank you all for an outstanding Term Three.

Anglican Identity With Ms Shea Doyle

As we move into the September holidays, we acknowledge and celebrate the Season of Creation Every year, Christians around the world use the month of September to celebrate God’s beautiful earth, and their shared commitment to preserving and restoring that beauty.

The Season of Creation reminds us of our role as stewards of the environment and encourages all people to reflect on the ways we can nurture and repair our common home After an enriching and rewarding term, we look forward to the rest and rejuvenation that comes with a spring break

During this time, I ask that we all make a renewed commitment to taking urgent action to protect and care for God’s precious creation.

We can take some inspiration from our students who, at our recent whole school Chapel Service, came up with the following suggestions:

• Plant a tree

• Recycle

• Walk more often or ride a bike

• Don’t throw rubbish in the river

• Buy things with less plastic packaging

• Reduce your waste

• Find ways to donate

• Use reusable bags

Junior School Report With Mrs Fiona Clark

Around the School

It certainly has been a very busy term for the children of Cobram AGS We have had a series of excursions, incursions, ICAS testing, interschool sports, athletics, 100 days of Foundation, Winter Reading Challenge, Father’s Day Breakfast and most recently, our fantastic Book Fair and Book Week Parade.

2024 Planning

Whilst it may seem a long time away, we have commenced our planning for 2024 The first part of our planning relies heavily on knowing how many students we will have in each year level. If your family is moving at the end of this term or year and your child/children will be attending a new school, please contact the school office as soon as possible and let us know Conversely, if you have a child who is not yet enrolled, or you know people that are intending to enrol but have not yet got around to it, please ask them to do so as soon as possible.

With Mr John Thompson Senior School Report

With national champions crowned on the dance floor and in the classroom, students displaying excellence in sporting teams and academic competitions, as well as some major events here at school, it’s been another massive term within the Senior School

Firstly, it would be negligent of me in a review of Term Three to not reflect on the outstanding achievement of Mr Gary Smith who was declared Non-Government Secondary School Teacher of the Year for 2023! Many colleagues (and no doubt students in the Senior School) have had the pleasure of working with Mr Smith throughout their Cobram AGS journey and would no doubt agree with me that this award is an excellent reflection of his career and contribution to our school.

It’s a massive achievement for someone from the little river town of Cobram to go up against the might of larger, city-centric independent schools and take the crown. Well done to Gary.

Social Media

I must again remind our community that TikTok is a platform our school discourages our young children from using. If you have given permission for your child to create social media accounts, we encourage you to monitor what they are being exposed to while using these platforms Social media platforms can be engaging and entertaining, but they also pose significant risks, especially for children Some of these risks include:

Cyberbullying: Inappropriate comments, hurtful messages, and online harassment can negatively impact a child's mental and emotional wellbeing.

Privacy Concerns: Sharing personal information, photos, or location details online can lead to privacy breaches and even potential dangers from strangers

Negative Influences: Exposure to inappropriate content, unhealthy comparison, and unrealistic standards can impact self-esteem and mental health.

Online Predators: Children might inadvertently come into contact with individuals with harmful intentions, putting their safety at risk

*Please remain alert to the fact that most social media platforms (Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram etc.) require users to be 13+ years old.

In sporting news, this was my first Cobram AGS Athletics Carnival and it was remarkable to see the level of enthusiasm and friendly competition that took place amongst the different age groups From this carnival, many students went on to compete at the next level and continue their displays of sporting prowess.

Furthermore, badminton was front and centre as a prominent sport this term, highlighted by our 4th place finish in the State Championships for our Senior Girls team of Cadence, Emily, Caitlin and Natasha Well done to all those who achieved terrific outcomes in the sporting domain this term

It was also a big term academically, with competitions such as ICAS (English, Maths and Science) and the CyberTaipan cybersecurity competition all taking place. It’s always fantastic to see students competing in these competitions and putting their academic skills to the test! In true Cobram AGS fashion, we came together as a school community for our Father’s Day Breakfast and Book Week Parade These events were well attended as always and it was great to see everybody enjoying themselves

Before we know it, the end of the year will be here. In particular, Term Four will be a short run for our Year 12 students. With only a precious few weeks to go before exams, I want to wish you well in your studies over these holidays, balancing the need to recharge the batteries with keeping on top of your respective programs To our unscored students, congratulations to getting to this place in your schooling journey and I look forward to welcoming you back at our functions next term.

Sports Recap With Mr Jon O’Dwyer

What a winter’s worth of extraordinary sporting achievements our students have produced! There were accolades at local, regional, state and even national level! Please find presented in condensed form, the marvellous outcomes our impressive sportspeople have been able to achieve:

School Sport Victoria Endorsed: Athletics: Following our successful school carnivals, the Senior School squad represented us at the GMDSSV Carnival, where we finished in 5th place overall Place getters were Jack Magill (3rd, 12-13 Boys) and Baden Riedell (3rd, 16 Boys). Ten students qualified for Hume Regionals which are on the first week back of Term Four.

Badminton: Our Senior Girls team (Emily Orsida, Cadence Pang, Natasha Smith and Caitlin Welch) made yet another State Final, where they finished in 4th place, narrowly missing out on a podium finish This, once again, made them the highest ranking country school in Victoria! Thanks to Mrs White for transporting the girls to Melbourne and providing them with this opportunity. Our Senior Boys and Year 7 Boys teams both came runners-up at the Hume Region event, narrowly missing out on getting a shot at the State Finals

Equestrian: Emily Stone was the lone rider to fly the school banner in the VEIS Showjumping Series. Emily competed in the grand final of this event and was Reserve Champion Freshman for the series Golf: Kohen Haddrell qualified for the Regional event following his qualifying round at the Divisional play off, held at the Mooroopna Golf Club during the final week of Term Three.

Interschool Sport: Year 5/6 Football and Netball: Carrying over from Term Two, our Year 5/6 students squeezed in another two matches against St Francis Nathalia and Nathalia Primary School and did exceptionally well. We thank both schools for making the effort to provide our students with some competition and for displaying fantastic sportspersonship!

Touch Football: Aroha Kautai represented the Team Vic 12 and Under side at the School Sports Australia National Championships, which were held in Darwin.

She co-captained the side with her sister Tenille, was named Victoria’s Players’ Player of the carnival and scored a try against Queensland, becoming possibly the only Victorian female to have ever done so!

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Australian Rules: Sam Trembath, Jeremy Packer and Jack Magill all head to Canberra to compete in the Greater Western Sydney’s Murray Academy side (made up of best players from Western Riverina and Albury) and attempt to be selected in the GWS Academy Super 24 team! Thomas Corso made his senior debut for Cobram FNC towards the end of the Murray Football League home and away season.

Badminton: We had a number of students do extremely well by either winning or coming runners-up in their age division in local tournaments in Cobram, Strathmerton and Shepparton Schoolaerobics: Peyton Royston, Evalee Royston and Bonnie Bugge returned from the Schoolaerobics Australian National Championships held in Adelaide in early August with a NATIONAL TITLE! They were part of Revival Aerobics Studio’s Triple Zero team, which produced a number of magnificent performances to take out the win in the OldSkool Cheer Large Group event!

Dancing: A strong contingent of dancers from Cobram AGS were part of the League 23 troupes who impressed the judges at a qualifying event for the Nationals! They will contest these on the Gold Coast in early 2024!

Equestrian: A number of our students have done extremely well with their equestrian participation, especially Juliette Steel, Emily Stone, Emily Cole, Kasey Caldow and Charlotte Dickins (as well as Mrs Schreenan)!

Netball: Lucy Adkins made her senior debut for Cobram FNC’s A-Grade netball side

Representative: A number of our students have been involved with representative duties for soccer, cricket, AFL and netball for sporting organisations such as Albury-Wodonga Football Association, Southern Riverina Cricket, Cricket Albury-Wodonga and the Picola Football Netball League

Soccer: Hunter McMaster and Cameron Harb were selected in the Coerver Coaching Asia Pacific Japanese Soccer tour squads for their respective age groups. These positions were incredibly well earned, being one of 30 players chosen from 400 applicants after a gruelling selection process!

Winter Sport: A number of our students competed in the pinnacle of their respective competitions by participating in grand finals, representing the Cobram Football Netball Club, the Berrigan Football Netball Club and the Cobram Roar Soccer Club Jack Magill was named best on ground in the PFNL’s U14 grand final, but unfortunately his Berrigan side lost by the narrowest of margins.

So as you can probably comprehend, our students have once again excelled on the sporting front As we approach the end of the year, excitement builds for the introduction of our Sports Academy, which will further enhance the performance and achievement of our students in 2024 and beyond Exciting times ahead!

Cobram Anglican Grammar School

League 23 dancers take a giant leap towards national glory

In January 2024, a large contingent of Cobram AGS dancers will head for the bright lights of the Gold Coast to compete in the Showcase Australian Dance Championships!

Competing for local dance studio League 23 in a recent eisteddfod, the students qualified for nationals as soloists, in troupes, and in duos/trios across different dance styles including jazz, lyrical, contemporary, latin ballroom, hip hop and broadway jazz

The following students have qualified and are ready to showcase their talent on the national stage:

Savanna Mustica

Jett Robbins

Harlin Robbins

Lacey Eddy

Bella Mete

Lyra Mete

Kyana Magolotti

Scarlett Lean

Arianna Gatcum

Ebony Kernaghan

Tia Hyde

Kasey Trembath

Janel Tanchote

Eliza Wyhoon

Ally Stillard

Gemma Edge

Taleea Long

Sam reaching for the stars in GWS Academy

2023 has been a rollercoaster year in the burgeoning football career of Year 9 student Sam Trembath. After being hampered by multiple concussions and then missing a month of the Ovens and Murray Football League Under 16 season due to a family holiday overseas, Sam returned to play for Yarrawonga by kicking a bag of seven goals.

This was soon followed by a trip to Canberra where he represented the GWS Giants’ Murray Region Academy team alongside fellow Cobram AGS students Jack Magill and Jeremy Packer The trio will be hoping their performances impressed their coaches enough to warrant being selected for the GWS Super 24 team to play against the Sydney Swans Academy in Coffs Harbour. The Super 24 team is made up of the best 24 players from across the Giants’ different academy zones in New South Wales.

Sam made the Super 24 team last year and it was through this opportunity that he really announced himself to AFL recruiters. To say he made a good impression would be an understatement considering the fact he booted five goals in the second trial game against the Swans Academy in Albury, playing as a forward

His performances in the Super 24 games were so impressive that he was asked by the Allies to try out for their Under 16 National Championships side this year – one of only four bottom age players invited In terms of the GWS Academy, Sam trains every Monday rotating between Tocumwal, Mulwala and Deniliquin, and is coached by Cobram AGS Head of Sport, Mr Jon O’Dwyer. Sam cites Mr O’Dwyer as one of the biggest influences on his footy career so far

“He’s taken me under his wing and helped me out in the gym and has given me programs on how to exercise and how to eat, as well as just giving me advice during the games. He’s been a really good mentor,” Sam said.

Sam has a clear line of sight of what he wants to get out of his football in the next 12 months It is to perform well in the Super 24 game against the Sydney Swans Academy (if selected), train with the Murray Bushrangers Under 16 program over the summer months and then hopefully be selected for the Allies in the Under 16 National Championships next year if all goes well

Visit: 40-48 Campbell Road, Cobram VIC 3644

Post: P O Box 607, Cobram VIC 3643 Call: 03 5871 1816

Email: admin@cags vic edu au cags vic edu au