On Wednesday 28 August 2024, Cobram Anglican Grammar School (Cobram AGS) celebrated a landmark event with the "Turning of the First Sod" at the site of our eagerly anticipated Trades Centre. This occasion marked a significant milestone in the school’s relatively short history, symbolising the beginning of an exciting new chapter that will enhance practical skill development and future career opportunities for our students
Students and staff gathered in the Performing Arts Centre (PAC) to hear from The Reverend Peter Laurence OAM, CEO of the Anglican Schools Commission In his address, Rev'd Laurence highlighted the importance of the occasion, emphasising how the new Trades Centre will open doors for students to explore various trades, in turn equipping them with valuable skills that will help shape their futures
The Reverend and senior stakeholders involved in the project then made their way to the Trades Centre site along with the Year 12 cohort. Neil Hicks, Vicar General of the Diocese of Wangaratta, blessed the land with Holy Water, which was followed by the group taking up the golden shovel to turn the earth for the very first time – a symbolic act marking the start of this exciting development.
The Crier
The Newsletter of Cobram Anglican Grammar
Principal Keith Willett expressed his pride in reaching this important milestone “Having the CEO of the ASC, our school leaders and other key figures who have been instrumental in bringing this project to life all present at the ceremony was truly special and gave us the chance to reflect on the hard work that has brought us to this point.”
Mr Willett also remarked, "This facility stands to be a gateway to countless career pathways for our students. It underpins our commitment to providing a well-rounded education that includes hands-on learning experiences that are essential for today’s ever-changing workforce."
With construction set to commence soon, the entire school community is eagerly anticipating the completion of the Trades Centre for classes in 2025.
Keith Willett, Neil Hicks, Alex Monk, Peter Laurence, Madison McDiarmid and Amelia Packer stand at the Trades Centre site before the first turning of the sod.
Breaking new ground: Yarning Circle takes shape
This term saw construction works commence on a structure that holds deep cultural significance to our school. Thanks to a generous grant from the Special Mission Funds of the Anglican Schools Commission, we have been able to construct a “Yarning Circle”.
Cobram AGS Principal, Mr Keith Willett, is thrilled that this project is coming to fruition after much consultation with local Indigenous community groups and members of staff. “The Yarning Circle will be a special area where our students and staff can celebrate the rich cultural diversity that exists within our school community, with a particular emphasis on our local Indigenous history,” Mr Willett commented.
“The space will serve as both a symbolic and practical embodiment of our commitment to inclusion, reflecting our Anglican Identity,” he added
Located in the heart of the school’s land, the Yarning Circle is set to become a central feature of the campus as future stages of the development masterplan unfold It will serve as a key gathering spot for students and staff to share stories and connect spiritually with the land known as Yorta Yorta Country
Year 12 student Jett Robbins sees great promise in the Yarning Circle, citing numerous benefits “This new space will be fantastic for the health and wellbeing of our students It will also provide a calm environment for meetings and building community connections I'm looking forward to seeing the aesthetic of it and actually sitting there and enjoying the new place once it’s finished,” Jett added
As a proud Yorta Yorta man, Jett considers the introduction of a school Yarning Circle “so important as it’s the basis of how our culture is taught, learnt and passed down It’s a vital aspect of Indigenous life and plays a massive role in promoting spiritual health,” Jett explained
With the base stage of the project now complete, we look forward to the roof being constructed, which will allow the space to be used at all times of the year!
A gallery of images captured throughout the base stage process courtesy of Mr McConnell.
Book Week leaves us all spellbound
Our annual Book Week dress up day was a spectacular celebration of this year’s theme, "Reading is Magic".
The festivities kicked off with the whole school gathering in the PAC for a brief assembly.
Year 12 leaders Madison McDiarmid and Nathan Gossayn had the pleasure of interviewing students from different year levels, uncovering the stories behind the costumes! Parents and loved ones were then invited to watch the hotly anticipated parade
Our Year 12s and Foundation students led the parading party around two laps of the school, allowing students to showcase their amazing costumes
Our Book Week celebration was a reminder of the incredible creativity and imagination that can so often be found in the books available to us
A huge thank you to everyone who embraced the spirit of the day by dressing up!
Foundation to Year 4 students jump out of the blocks at Aths Carnival
Our Foundation to Year 4 students kicked off the 2024 Athletics program at the Barooga Recreation Reserve, participating in a range of running events, as well as track events such as long jump, high jump, triple jump, shot put and discus!
It was fantastic to see the way in which students participated in the various events throughout the day Students competed with a smile on their face and enjoyed spending the day outdoors with their friends.
The Age Champions were:
5/6 yo Female: Remi Hemingway
5/6 yo Male: William Hayward
7yo Female: Ivannah Towler
7yo Male: Archie McIntyre
8yo Female: Meg Kelly
8yo Male: Veresa Cossar
9yo Female: Mylah Giblin-Burrows
9yo Male: Frankie Lean
10yo Female: Alice Lebner
10yo Male: Oliver Adkins
Congratulations to these students and all place getters on your achievements!
Parkes House reigns supreme following Year 5-12 Athletics Carnival
The Barooga Recreation Reserve was alive with energy and excitement as students from Years 5-12 convened for their Athletics Carnival
Following an exhilarating day of competition and outstanding efforts across various disciplines, only one house could be crowned champions and the shield duly went to Parkes largely thanks to a significant lead established by its Junior School students at the F-4 carnival
Final house points tally:
Cowell: 1890
Farrer: 1834
Stanyer: 1586
Parkes: 1912
Age Champions:
11 yo Female: Lucy Dean
11 yo Male: Jack Watkins
12/13 yo Female (Primary): Aroha Kautai
12/13 yo Male (Primary): Chase Jarjoura
12/13 yo Female (Secondary): Demi Gemmill
12/13 yo Male (Secondary): Cameron Harb
14 yo Female: Jess Laidlaw
14 yo Male: Samuel Brown
15 yo Female: Maddie Rice
15 yo Male: Jake Kauta
16 yo Female: Miley Driscoll
16 yo Male: Sam Trembath
Open Female: Madison McDiarmid
Open Male: Thomas Corso
Well done to all our Age Champions and place getters on your fine efforts! And thank you to our amazing staff and parent volunteers for allowing our students to participate in the two carnivals!
It’s a blast from the past on Year 3/4 Beechworth camp
What a super camp!!
In the final week of term, six staff members took 53 excited Year 3/4 students off to Beechworth for three days / two nights. Thank you to all the staff who gave up their week to make this camp possible.
Over the three days, we crammed in so much fun. Some of the major highlights included:
Beechworth Gaol
Beechworth Courthouse (for a reenactment of Ned Kelly’s court hearing)
Beechworth Honey (yummo)
Ned Kelly cartoon drawing session (who knew you could draw anything if you think of ‘it’ as letters, number, eggs and sausages?)
Gold panning (a few kids struck gold!)
Beechworth shopping (spending at the lolly shop and honey shop)
Movie night (movie mode with our PJs on!)
The students were absolutely fantastic and their families should be so proud of them
It was a time of learning Learning how to sleep without parents; learning how to listen when crossing roads, learning how to organise, pack and unpack belongings, learning how to regulate when tired, learning how to stuff or roll a sleeping bag This camp wasn’t just about Australian history!
~ Mrs Fiona Clark
On the 2nd of exciting milest days of school embraced the kaleidoscope o The celebratio number 100. T stories, and m number. The d and a movie.
It was a memo students are f and Miss Anth
Nicolas jumping for joy after fundraising masterclass!
Year 2 student Nicolas Burns has made an incredible contribution to the Heart Foundation by raising a mighty impressive $702.07 through the Jump Rope for Heart (JRFH) program!
Inspired by his best friends Aiden Tran and Landon Eddy, Nicolas set an initial goal of raising $100 and simply wanted to do his best so it’s fair to say that he far exceeded his own expectations! “I felt excited after finding out how much money I’d raised,” Nicolas shared
He told the Crier that he practised skipping every day – both at home and at school for nearly two months – working hard to master the criss-cross technique by the end of his JRFH journey
Nicolas’ fundraising campaign was well supported by family and friends who kindly donated through a link shared on social media. His mother, Naomi, told the Crier that a video she posted of Nicolas skipping on her Facebook page helped spark a flood of donations, illustrating the power of social media and community support.
A big congratulations to Nicolas for his remarkable fundraising efforts and indeed to all students who participated in JRFH this year. You should be incredibly proud of the funds you raised for such an important cause.
Special men celebrated at annual breakfast gathering
As always, our Fathers’ Day Breakfast was a splendid morning spent celebrating all the remarkable men within our school community and we want to extend our sincere thanks to everyone involved Firstly, to the Cobram Rotary members who arrived at 6 30am to fire up the BBQ and cook delicious egg and bacon rolls; and secondly, to Ms Doyle, Mrs White, and our Year 12 helpers for serving excellent coffees throughout the morning
We were thrilled to offer four lucky door prizes which were generously donated by AMCAL Pharmacy, Betta Electrical, Supreme Meats, and Cafe 13 Congratulations to the lucky winners! The morning also owed a lot to Mr McConnell and his Year 9 and 10 Woodwork students for creating two mini golf holes which were a smashing hit! Mrs Chmiel's ukulele group only added to the ambience by playing some soothing strums.
A huge thank you all the dads, stepdads, grandpas, and other special men who joined us. It was a pleasure welcoming you to our school for this special morning.
Alumni Spotlight: River Loizou
Our school got a serious boost of energy at the back end of the term when 2020 graduate River Loizou returned to DJ for local hip-hop artist, BricKy B The event was a perfect homecoming for River, who has been making waves with his creative endeavours ever since his school days
Looking back, River recalls his time at the school with great affection "My fondest memories of the school are definitely the moments of genuine connection between friends, students and teachers It makes a world of difference to learn with and from people you admire," River told the Crier
Even though he’s off on his own adventures now, that sense of camaraderie and feeling part of a community hasn’t faded with time. "I only talk regularly with a couple of friends from school but even though paths have stretched far and wide from the classroom, I still feel a sense of connection whenever I see the students and teachers that I grew up with."
During his school years River was known for his creativity, whether he was performing hiphop at school events or writing short stories. He said he wouldn’t have had the courage to put himself out there without the backing of the school.
“The thoughtful feedback and encouragement from teachers was invaluable. I never felt ashamed to want to share something new.” That open and supportive atmosphere helped fuel River’s confidence which he has now successfully channeled into his career
Since graduating from Cobram AGS, River has been kicking goals, running his own small business which caters to the technical and creative needs of organisations around him He told the Crier that no day is ever the same "Sometimes I’m running event audio, and sometimes I’m creating videos, but I’m always continuing my personal journey as an aspiring storyteller," he says
And while pursuing a creative pathway comes with its fair share of challenges, River accepts that it’s all part of the learning process “There are plenty of reasons to start something creative but sometimes it feels like there are even more reasons to quit. But when those ideas come knocking, it’s just too exciting to ignore them!”
One thing’s for sure: River finds that the rewards of his work far outweigh the hurdles. “The best part of what I do is the sense of personal triumph when you learn a new skill or outdo yourself with a new project. This is a path only I can walk, and when the hard work pays off, it feels like finding yourself,” he reflects candidly.
Coming back to Cobram AGS gave River the perfect opportunity to take stock of just how far he’s come since his school days. "The best part of coming back was seeing some of my teachers (who don’t seem to have aged a day!) and getting a bit of perspective on where I’ve come from versus where I am now."
River’s story is a wonderful example of the possibilities that exist when you continue pursuing your passions despite the peaks and troughs that inevitably arise along the journey. We can’t wait to see what this talented storyteller does next!
River pictured with a group of admiring Junior School students following his show with BricKy B. And pictured below in his Cobram AGS days.
Community Corner
Students set for once in a lifetime overseas trip
In the September/October school holidays, Year 10 students Matilda Waser, Evalee Royston and Savannah Kernaghan will embark on an exciting service learning trip to Samoa! They will spend time with students at our sister school, All Saints Anglican School in the nation’s capital, Apia. The girls will be joined on the trip by Mrs Carolyn White.
The trip will provide students with the chance to experience Samoan life and culture firsthand whilst engaging in community-based projects and activities.
From the moment they arrive, the three students will be immersed in the daily routines of All Saints Anglican School, helping in the classroom and gaining a better insight into the traditions and customs of this beautiful Pacific Island nation
Outside of school, they’ll have the chance to explore Samoa’s breathtaking natural beauty, including coral reefs, stunning beaches, and dramatic sunsets
Itinerary highlights:
Tour the Samoan Cultural Village and enjoy a traditional lunch, followed by a visit to the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum
Meet with officials at the Australian High Commissioner’s office
Explore the renowned Sua Trench and relax on Lalomanu Beach, with an overnight stay.
Attend Sunday Church and enjoy lunch at All Saints Anglican Church.
Spend the second week fully immersed in the life of All Saints Anglican School, participating in classroom activities and projects.
Shop at local markets, experience a traditional Fiafia celebration, and witness a captivating fire dancing performance.
Savannah Kernaghan, teacher Carolyn White, Evalee Royston and Matilda Waser will be heading to Samoa for a two-week service trip.
How are the students feeling about travelling to Samoa?
Matilda Waser:
"I decided to sign up for the trip to learn more about Samoan culture and visit our sister school, All Saints It is a service learning trip where we will participate in activities ranging from picking up rubbish to swimming on beautiful beaches and assisting at the school "
Evalee Royston:
"It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to do something completely out of my comfort zone by immersing myself in another culture. I’m most excited to spend time with the school kids and hope to learn from them as well as share some of my own knowledge."
Savannah Kernaghan:
"I'm looking forward to learning more about the Samoan culture while also teaching them about our culture. I’m excited to snorkel, see the country, try traditional Samoan food, and meet the students at All Saints Anglican School."
A teacher's perspective:
Mrs Carolyn White, who will accompany the students, believes the trip will be transformative:
"This is a fantastic opportunity for all of us to experience the culture of another country. I’m particularly looking forward to seeing how a school operates in Samoa. The trip also allows us to take part in community service activities, something we truly value at Cobram Anglican Grammar School."
“This service learning trip to Samoa promises to be a lifechanging experience for our students, enriching their understanding of the world and deepening their appreciation for both Samoan and Australian cultures ”
Tully finds his spark through school-based apprenticeship
For Year 12 student Tully Kerr, chasing his career goals has been an electrifying journey Quite literally. The fuse for his eventual pathway into a school-based apprenticeship (SBA) was lit in Term Three of Year 10, when a work experience placement with Shaun Robbins Electrical set him on a career path that has kept him energised ever since.
Speaking to the Crier about how the initial opportunity came to pass, Tully offered the following explanation. "Dad’s a real estate agent and Shaun did a lot of work for him. He’d been around our place quite a bit, so when I knew I wanted to get into a trade, I decided to ask if I could do work experience with him and I absolutely loved it!"
That one week was all it took to confirm what Tully already suspected – electrical work was the perfect fit for him. Tully was immediately drawn to the challenging nature of the job description "It’s pretty sophisticated and it’s not easy which is good because it keeps you on your toes all the time I just find it really interesting,” he told the Crier
Below are a series of lessons and reflections Tully has taken out of his SBA pathway
Learning the right way: skills on the job
In the hands-on world of electrical work, Tully quickly realised that the key to learning his craft was paying close attention "Being willing to listen is probably the biggest skill you need when you walk into the job On site, your colleagues teach you so much and you’ve got to be able to take it all in,” he said
His apprenticeship has him balancing practical work with his TAFE studies which lean more toward theory. But for Tully, the real magic definitely happens out on job sites. "I definitely enjoy doing more hands-on stuff. When you’re at TAFE it’s all just theory but when you’re out on site, seeing it all firsthand makes it easier to learn and take in.”
Striking a balance: school meets work
While juggling the demands of VCE and a budding electrical career might sound daunting, for Tully, the rhythm he’s found between school life and his apprenticeship has been refreshing. "Working one day a week has actually helped me with my schooling. The work’s definitely a bit more physically draining than being at school but it’s been good,” he shared.
On the job, Tully’s learnt more than just how to wire a home. Safety, for example, is paramount. "It’s a huge part of the job. You’ve really got to get your head around it because electrical work can obviously be pretty dangerous if you’re not careful."
And in the domestic electrical space where Tully spends most of his time operating, interacting with different clients has helped him improve another skill which is vitally important in everyday life – communication "Doing domestic work helps a lot with your people skills because you’re constantly talking to different people and explaining to them what you’re doing "
Tully’s tips for students considering doing a SBA
For students looking to follow in his footsteps by undertaking a SBA, Tully’s advice is simple: make the most of your work experience "Try different things if you can but really make sure you use that work experience wisely That week back in Year 10 really helped me make my decision and by the end of it I knew this was the career I wanted to pursue "
Having gone down this pathway option, Tully has nearly completed a year of his apprenticeship without sacrificing obtaining his VCE certificate. Reflecting on his journey over the past 24 months, he’s confident he made the right choice. "I’m really glad I stayed at school because if I’d left to do my trade full time I know I would’ve missed school and missed out on certain opportunities, plus I’ve got the rest of my life to work," he said.
Tully’s journey is a great example of how students can fuse their academic studies with hands-on training, forging a clear path to a successful career, all while completing Year 12.
2025 School Captains ready to lead the way
Following a thorough selection process that included potential School Captains providing a detailed written application followed by an interview with Mrs White, Ms Doyle, Mr Thompson and Mr Willett, we are pleased to announce our 2025 School Captains:
Alina Corso
Mackenzie Duhring
Regan Rouse (Captain of Anglican Identity)
Abigail Brooker (Captain of Community Service)
Next term we will announce two new captain portfolios (for Alina and Mackenzie) to ensure that all captains have a designated portfolio of responsibility
Mr Willett commented that the school was fortunate to have such an impressive pool of candidates vying for the opportunity to lead their peers and contribute to the growth of our school
Cubby house ready to be raffled
We are excited to announce the launch of our cubby house raffle, with all proceeds going to the Cobram Men’s Shed! For just $5 per ticket, you could win the ultimate prize for the kids – an incredible cubby house built by our talented Year 9 & 10 Technology students!
Raffle books will be sent home with the eldest student of each family in the first week of Term 4.
“Our four leaders will play a vital role in creating synergy across both sub-schools as well as maintaining a strong sense community spirit, while championing important causes,” he said.
“For all students who applied, I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation. The willingness to step forward and nominate for a leadership role speaks well of the character of the students who attend our school,” Mr Willett added.
We look forward to witnessing the growth and success of these students in their leadership roles over the coming year. Congratulations to... on their well-deserved appointments.
This fully equipped cubby comes with toys, furniture, and accessories, making it a dream space for children to enjoy. The cubby house measures 2.5m(L) x 2m(W) and will be delivered to the lucky winner’s home.
A massive thank you to Cobram Mitre 10 and CPE Construction for their generous support of this project.
Key Details:
Tickets: $5 each, available from Term 4
Delivery: Delivery only available to residents located within one hour of Cobram
Raffle Draw: 5 December 2024 at our end of year break up
Alina, Mackenzie, Regan and Abigail are ready to lead the way in 2025.
Principal’s Message
From Mr Keith Willett
Building developments: Trades Centre
This term has seen significant progress towards the construction of our Trades Centre. The tender process has commenced and we look forward to hearing from construction companies from the local and wider regions. Once complete, the facility will provide state-of-the-art workshops for handson learning in areas such as carpentry, automotive, and other trades that will prepare our students for diverse career pathways. We expect the Trades Centre to be operational by early next year, which will mark an exciting h i h l' h
ASC Vision for Learning update
We continue to align our teaching strategies with the Anglican Schools Commission (ASC) Vision for Learning This vision emphasises student-centred learning, holistic development, and equipping students with the skills and attributes necessary for the future Key descriptors of the Vision for Learning Curriculum initiative include the words COLLABORATIVE, PURPOSEFUL, INQUISITIVE, INCLUSIVE, COURAGEOUS and CONNECTED As a school, we continue to refine our curriculum and pedagogical approaches to ensure that we are fostering creativity, critical thinking, and resilience in our students Professional development for our staff remains a priority as we work to implement this vision across all year levels, ensuring that every student is given the tools to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally at school. Across Term 4 and into 2025, families will start to see the use of the Vision for Learning language in things such as our student awards and different elements of the curriculum.
Yarning Circle: a step towards reconciliation
Our Yarning Circle will become a central part of the school community, serving as both a physical space for gathering and a symbolic gesture toward reconciliation and cultural exploration. It stands as a symbol to our ongoing commitment to the process of reconciliation, offering students and staff a place to reflect on the importance of inclusivity and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We are proud of this initiative and the role it plays in creating a deeper understanding and appreciation of Australia’s rich cultural heritage.
We look forward to what the next term will bring and encourage everyone in our school community to continue their hard work and engagement with all aspects of school life.
Anglican Identity
With Ms Shea Doyle
As we enjoy 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.
At our most recent Junior School Chapel Service, the leaders reminded us of the wonderful gifts of God’s creation by preparing a Prayer Table using some symbols of creation.
These included:
The gift of the soil and seeds that give us life.
The gift of water: from the magnificent oceans to tiny water drops.
The gift of trees: which help us in many ways and bring us beauty and joy too.
The gift of the creatures: the ones who roam the land, who swim in the waters and who fly in the sky.
The gift of plants: the tiny and the towering ones, the colourful ones, the winter ones, the delicious ones.
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
Junior School Report
With Mrs Fiona Clark
Wow! Can you believe there is only one more term left of 2024? We had a super busy Term 3 and the students have all been working incredibly hard! I would like to thank all our families for the continued support and encouragement that you give to your children in assisting their learning.
Every week it seemed the students were immersing themselves in their learning through incursions and excursions The 5/6s conducted their Wax Museum; a living, talking exploration of history, civic and citizenship
Senior School Report
With Mr John Thompson
Such a lot of work went into this interactive museum and the displays looked fantastic! Of course, Term 3 always holds our Fathers’ Day Breakfast and Book Parade dress up The children love having their loved ones on the school campus, even if it’s to show dad or grandpa their classroom or how they can swing on the monkey bars Thank you for your participation in these significant events
The 3/4s went to Beechworth and discovered all things Ned Kelly The Old Priory was magnificent, but the stairs were deadly on the legs! The 1/2s complemented their Inquiry Unit and space learning with a wonderful ‘space dome’ incursion which was thoroughly enjoyed by the children. Entering the dome was like stepping into a galaxy far, far away…
The Foundation children also experienced a fun incursion led by ‘TwistED Science’. Mixing kitchen ingredients with chemicals and looking at the reactions was mind blowing for some of the students! 100 days of Foundation was a notable highlight too!
Term 3 also entailed several other major events such as two Athletics Carnivals, R U OK? Day, an amazing Indigenous spoken word and rap performance by BricKy B, and ICAS assessments.
Pheww!
The busy Senior School never stops and Term 3 was no exception. We commenced the term with a focus on finalising our Course Counselling processes for Year 10 students. These interviews helped shape key decisions around student pathways through the VCE for 2025 and 2026, with the choice of VCE or VCE-VM available for all students here at Cobram AGS
Excitingly, a more diverse range of subjects could be offered for 2025, including the VET Aviation onsite; an exciting program that compliments the work undertaken in the STEM area and a wonderful complimentary subject to our exciting Trades Centre development
Throughout the early weeks of Term 3, a number of academic competitions took place, including Digital Technologies, Mathematics, Science, English and Writing. It was fantastic to see a number of our Senior School students involve themselves in these competitions and I would continue to encourage our students to do so.
In week 3, our Year 7 students experienced their first taste of a camp in the Senior School with their trip to the Borambola Sport and Recreation Centre Conduct and engagement was so strong on this camp that all participants were acknowledged for their efforts with awards at our the proceeding assembly
Many guest speakers visited the school during Term 3, with a heavy focus on careers and pathways Our virtual careers day, careers expo excursion to Shepparton and visiting talk from ADF personnel continued to provide our students with options and choices for pathways beyond school
At the time of writing this report, Mrs Carolyn White and our student delegation of Savanna Kernaghan, Matilda Waser and Evalee Royston are in Samoa, continuing our commitment to service learning. This experience will see our team, as part of a broader ASC delegation, working alongside students and teachers at All Saints Anglican School in Samoa to develop their educational opportunities. A huge commitment from those involved and an experience they’re unlikely to forget.
Before we know it, the end of the year will be here. In particular, Term 4 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 all well in your studies over these holidays; balancing the need to recharge the batteries with keeping on top of your 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.
With the weather warming up, a reminder to get your hats ready to go for a big return to school in October!
Sports Recap With Mr Jon O’Dwyer
Hello to all our avid Cobram AGS sports fans out there Term 3 provided us with another enthralling instalment of wonderful sporting achievements produced by our sporting stars; both young and old (staff and parents) Let us take a look at some of the amazing outcomes achieved:
School Endorsed:
Emily Stone (Year 6) and Kasey Caldow (Year 10) represented Victoria at the National Interschools Equestrian Championships in Tamworth Emily finished 3rd in the Primary 70cm showjumping event, while Kasey finished 7th in the 100cm senior event and 13th in the 90cm event! What an incredible effort by both girls. Brisbane 2032, here we come!
Aroha Kautai (Year 6) has made the School Sport Victoria Team Vic State 12 and Under Girls Touch Football side for the 3rd consecutive year! The Nationals will be held in Brisbane at the end of October.
Our Year 8 Boys’ Badminton team, consisting of Ben Dean, Maddix Kong, Harlin Robbins and Harry Thompson did a magnificent job at the Hume Region final, finishing runners up for the second consecutive year. Thanks to Mr Thompson for his assistance in supervising the team and getting them to and from the event
We had a heavy athletics program this term which included the Goulburn Murray Divisional for the Senior School students The Junior School students (Years 3-6) will get their opportunity to impress in week 2 of Term 4; while 16 of our Senior School students have qualified for the Hume Region event which will be held on 10 October (first Thursday of Term 4)
Extra-Curricular:
With winter sports coming to an end, we had a number of students, staff and parents do extremely well in reaching finals and receiving personal accolades for their efforts A number of these have been posted on the school’s Facebook page so I will not list them all here but congratulations to each and every one of you, especially those who finished the year as premiers of their competition.
The dance season has seen a number of our students perform brilliantly at National qualifiers; where many were successful in gaining qualification but are unlikely to take up the offer this year.
Peyton Royston (Year 9), Bonnie Bugge and Evalee Royston (both Year 10) performed magnificently at the Schoolaerobic National Championships in Adelaide, medalling in both individual and group performances. Congratulations on reaching this high level of achievement!
Jean-Marie Jonker (Year 6) qualified to compete at the Junior Victorian State Gymnastics Championships which will be held October! She had to rise to the top at the regional tryouts, where only the best gymnasts from each region in Victoria are selected for the state championships. She achieved an impressive qualifying score and ranked in the top 8 gymnasts of her level (Level 6) Well done!
A number of our students and parents did incredibly well at local badminton tournaments, taking out champion and runners up titles in the process!
Next term starts of with a rush, with further levels of athletics, interschool sports for our Year 7 and 8 students and a swimming program for our Foundation to Year 6 students all happening in the first couple of weeks!
I hope you have a great final week of school holidays Stay safe and God bless
Kasey Caldow and Emily Stone pictured in the saddle National Interschools Equestrian Championships!
Year 8 badminton side claim Hume runners up pennant
Our talented Year 8 badminton team comprised of Maddix Kong, Harlin Robbins, Harry Thompson, and Ben Dean delivered an exceptional performance at the Hume Region finals in the mid part of the term
The boys faced a tough assignment in their opening match against Wangaratta High School, who would go on to claim the championship title Reflecting on the intense match, Ben Dean shared, "It was definitely a hard battle but a lot of fun "
Despite the early setback, the team showed great resilience, bouncing back to secure impressive victories against Myrtleford High School and Alexandra High School in their remaining pool matches.
This bond translates into their playing styles, with each duo complementing the other’s strengths Ben explained, "I’m more of a short range player and Harry is better at long range shots, and it’s the same with Maddix and Harlin "
A key to their success on the court is the strong friendship between the players. Ben highlighted this, saying, "We are really good friends which helps.
“Harry and I are really good friends and Maddix and Harlin are really good friends so when it comes to doubles games we’ve got really good connections on the court."
The team’s efforts earned them the runners up pennant for the second consecutive year, a bittersweet achievement for Ben "It felt good to come home with the runners-up pennant, but there was also a tinge of disappointment as it was the same result as last year," he admitted Despite the outcome, Ben remains optimistic about the team’s progress, confident that they’ve improved since last year’s showing
Congratulations to the boys for their fantastic display of skill and sportsmanship Here’s hoping that third time’s the charm next year! Well done, team!
Cheer trio shine on national stage
In the middle of the term, three of our Senior School students, Peyton Royston, Evalee Royston, and Bonnie Bugge showcased their incredible talents at the Schoolaerobics National Championships in Adelaide, representing Revival Aerobics Competing against top athletes nationwide, they achieved outstanding results:
Peyton Royston (Year 9): 3rd in Secondary Junior Singles Orange, 3rd in Junior Pom, Drills & Dance Audition, and 2nd in Old Skool Pom, Drills & Dance Large Teams
Evalee Royston (Year 10): 2nd in Secondary Senior Singles Orange, 2nd in Old Skool Pom, Drills & Dance Large Teams.
Bonnie Bugge (Year 10): 2nd in Old Skool Pom, Drills & Dance Large Teams.
Congratulations to all three girls on your outstanding achievements!
Harlin, Ben, Maddix and Harry proudly show off their runners up pennant.
