The Crier
Innovative tech program set for take off with new micro drones
Cobram Anglican Grammar School (Cobram AGS) is excited to announce the integration of drone technology into its educational curriculum This initiative offers new and innovative learning opportunities for students, and we are thrilled about the potential it holds
A special thank you goes to our Parents and Friends group (P&F) for their generous contribution of $2500 towards purchasing 10 Tello EDU micro drones.
These funds were raised through the successful Easter Raffle in Term One, and we appreciate the support of our school community in making this possible. It’s truly fantastic to see the P&F’s fundraising efforts directly benefitting student learning
"This new program reflects our school's ongoing commitment to providing a quality education that meets the demands of industry best practice and embraces modern technologies that will shape our future workforce,” Mr Willett commented
In terms of how the drone program will run, students from Year 5 to Year 10 will have hands-on experience with the drones in the initial phase of the program Our goal is to gradually expand the program, with plans to offer students in Year 11 and Year 12 the opportunity to obtain a Certificate 3 in Aviation (Remote Pilot) in the future.
Cobram AGS Principal, Mr Keith Willett, expressed his excitement about the addition of drones to the learning curriculum.
The drone program will offer students a comprehensive learning experience that goes beyond the basics of flying the devices They will also delve into the intricacies of robotics, aviation safety and regulations, and study the vast applications of drone technology. Drones are already having a significant impact in industries such as agriculture, photography, search and rescue, and environmental monitoring
By introducing drones to our curriculum, students will develop fundamental flying skills and gain valuable insights into these real-world applications, broadening their understanding of potential career pathways that incorporate the use of drones
As part of the drone program students will gain hands-on experience in:
Understanding the safety, rules, and laws surrounding drone operation
Learning to fly drones in a secure environment
Surveying and mapping
Exploring aerial photography and videography
Developing problem-solving abilities and teamwork skills
We are incredibly excited about the positive impact this program will have on our students' education and future careers The sky is the limit as we embark on this new educational journey of technological exploration at Cobram AGS!
Scan the QR code to watch our drone program feature on WIN News
Pirate fever hooks Cobram AGS
Early in Term One, the sprawling grounds of Cobram AGS were littered with an invasion of swashbuckling pirates! Why you may ask? To build excitement levels in anticipation for our school production ‘Pirates’ of course!
The day began with an energetic assembly where the cast of the production gave a thrilling teaser performance Voices were raised in a rousing sea shanty sing-along, creating a lively atmosphere.
A spirited Q&A session with Miss Dixon and the cast allowed the audience to uncover some of the secrets behind the scenes and the making of the show, adding to the anticipation for the full production!
Foundation students meet and greet their Year 6 buddies
This term our Foundation students had the pleasure of being introduced to their Year 6 buddies!
Special bonds have developed since, with the Year 6s enjoying the chance to interact with their young buddies and complete activities together such as reading, drawing and board games.
Bring on Semester Two!
Under sunny skies and spurred by high spirits, students in Foundation to Year 12 took part in the Cross Country event at the picturesque Thompson’s Beach
Hats off to Parkes house who followed up their victory in the Swimming Carnival with another brilliant team effort here, norrowly pipping Cowell to the post!
Final house points tally:
Farrer - 220
Stanyer - 228
Cowell - 266
Parkes - 284
The Age Champions were:
5-6y Female: Remi Hemingway
5-6y Male: William Hayward
7y Female: Olivia Pendlebury
7y Male: Ted Watkins
8y Female: Lily Hayward
8y Male: Veresa Cossar
9y Female: Valerie Strauss
9y Male: Xavyer Hyde
10y Female: Alice Lebner
10y Male: Oliver Adkins
11y Female: Charlotte Sim
11y Male: Jack Watkins
12/13y Female (Primary): Heidi Quick
12/13y Male (Primary): Chase Jarjoura
12-13y Female: Demi Gemmill
12-13y Male: Cameron Harb
14y Female: Emelia Cole
14y Male: Xavier Franklin
15y Female: Maddie Rice
15y Male: Jet Munro
16y Female: Kasey Caldow
16y Male: Samuel Trembath
Open Female: Anthea Peters
Open Male: Thomas Corso
Congratulations to these students for their fine efforts and indeed to every student who tried their best in warm and testing conditions
Cobram community transported into whimsical world of high sea pirates!
The Cobram Civic Centre buzzed with excitement as our talented Drama students took to the stage to perform the comedic production ‘PiratesTheodora Thud and the Quest for Weird Beard.’ Under the expert direction of Miss Rhiannon Dixon, the young actors delivered a memorable performance over two nights that left audiences full of admiration (and a sore belly from the hysterics)
The cast members were simply brilliant, each bringing their characters to life with enthusiasm and skill Olivia Thompson shone in the lead role of Theodora Thud, captivating the audience with her portrayal of the adventurous heroine The role of Harriet the Ghost was played by Emily Lewis on Wednesday and Heidi Webb on Thursday, with both actresses delivering stellar performances
Andy Surplice demonstrated remarkable versatility by portraying the gravel voiced Captain Cramp Hand and the pretentious Marco the Frog Parasdeep Gill wowed the crowd as Polly the Parrot, while Coralie Guthrie showcased her range by playing Becky, Doodle the Pirate, and Rain the Hippy
Alexia Piercy equally impressed with her performances as Doot the Pirate and Dee Dee the Mermaid Lilly Davidson brought her characters, Thad and Leaf the Hippy to life with engaging energy, while Judah Shilling's portrayals of Perle, Deet the Pirate, and Juice the Hippy were highly entertaining and right on the money.
Jack Brown commanded the stage as the notorious Mr Weird Beard, while Owen Woolley played the dual roles of dodgy villain Mr Clunky Bones and Pierre the Frog expertly Takoda Draper had the audience squawking with laughter in his role as Vinnie the Vulture
Adding a special touch to the show were guest appearances by Miss Dixon as Penelope the Frog and an unforgettably hilarious cameo from M Jon O’Dwyer as Linz the Mermaid A surprise appearance from John Thompson as ‘John Thompson’ with KFC bucket in hand was also a highlight!
The Cobram Civic Centre provided the perfect setting for the performances, with its intimate atmosphere allowing the audience to fully immerse themselves in the whimsical world of these pirates The vibrant set designs, creative lighting, and intricate costumes all contributed to a visually appealing and engaging theatrical experience.
The hard work and commitment of the cast, combined with the expert guidance of Miss Dixon, resulted in a show that was not only entertaining, but which also showcased the incredible creative talent that exists within Cobram AGS. The community's response was overwhelmingly positive, with parents, teachers and students all praising the quality of the production
A massive thank you to those who came along to support the students in their creative pursuits. The two production nights would not have been possible without the amazing support crew of teachers who assisted back stage and with various other logistics
Congratulations to the entire cast and crew for delivering a spectacular and unforgettable performance The future of theatre at Cobram AGS looks incredibly bright with such passionate and talented students leading the way
Year 11s sample city life and explore endless further education possibilities
There was no settling into Term Two for our Year 11 students as they set off for their careers camp to Ballarat and Melbourne in week three Starting off in the cold goldfields of Ballarat, the group enjoyed a visit to ACU and Federation University (where they also stayed) The camp wasn't strictly business though; they had important leisure time to explore Kryal Castle and experience the amazing Aura Sound and Light Show at Sovereign Hill
After departing Ballarat for Melbourne, the students had the opportunity to look around several of the prominent university institutions including RMIT in the city, Swinburne, and Deakin. This was an awesome chance for the cohort to get a proper feel of each campus and see the student accommodation on offer.
Other highlights in Melbourne included a tour of the Metro Tunnel HQ, ice skating, Strike Bowling, a delicious dinner in Chinatown and plenty of shopping by the students in their spare time!
The camp culminated with the group attending the VCE and Careers Expo at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Student Teagan Wilkin-Thom aptly described the experience as the "Best school camp ever” upon her arrival back to Cobram AGS.
Moving and groovin’: Senior School students dance the night away at Formal
The first week of Term Two was marked by an unforgettable evening at the Italian Social Club, where our Year 10-12 students and their plus ones gathered for the Senior School Formal The Year 12 students outdid themselves in coordinating this wonderful event, demonstrating exceptional organisational skills and a keen eye for detail!
The night featured a lively DJ, ensuring the dance floor was never empty, a delicious grazing table that offered a variety of snacks, and a creatively designed photo wall that provided the perfect backdrop for capturing cherished memories.
Attendees thoroughly enjoyed the evening, dancing joyfully with classmates and friends until 11pm The event was not only a celebration for the Cobram AGS community, but also a wonderful opportunity for students to mingle with friends from other schools
ANZAC legacy in safe hands with local youth
Once again, it was fantastic to see Cobram AGS have such a strong community presence at the various ANZAC Day services around the district. Many students were actively involved in these services by either participating in their local march, laying a wreath, or performing public speaking duties
In keeping with recent tradition, Year 11 student Lewis Brown had a major role to play in proceedings, performing The Last Post on his trumpet at both Cobram services As always, Lewis did a fantastic job performing the famed battlefield anthem.
Meanwhile, our Year 12 School Leaders Madison McDiarmid and Thomas Corso were MCs at the Cobram Dawn Service, and Amelia Packer and Nathan Gossayn were MCs at the 10.00am service. These students were fantastic in their representation of our school.
The level of student engagement in surrounding towns such as Strathmerton, Berrigan, Tocumwal, Yarrawonga, Numurkah and Nathalia was a testament to our far-reaching school spirit. The ANZAC legacy well and truly lives on in the community thanks to our young people
Year 10 crew explore cultural wondersofMelbourne
Our Year 10 students flew out of the gates in the first week of term, heading straight for the bright lights of Melbourne for a three day camp that was filled with cultural immersion and adventure The large travelling party of 44 students and five staff members explored iconic landmarks and participated in various activities around the city. Below is a snapshot of what the group got up to on camp.
Day 1: City Immersion
The adventure began with visits to Melbourne Central and the State Library. Students learnt about social enterprise at The Big Issue Classroom, and enjoyed winding down with a game or two of tenpin bowling at Strike The day concluded with thrilling challenges at Adventure Rooms' Escape Room –a camp highlight for many!
Day 2: Discovering Melbourne's Treasures
Students visited the Queen Victoria Market, participated in a workshop at Hamer Hall, and marvelled at the sea life in Melbourne Aquarium. They toured the MCG and the Australian Sports Museum, before ending the day with stunning views from the Eureka Skydeck
Day 3: Reflecting on History
The final day of camp included a visit to the Old Melbourne Gaol and an engaging Courtroom Drama experience After an action packed few days that entailed plenty of walking, the students departed the city exhausted but in possession of countless memories!
Students take up NCSS Academic Challenge and shine bright
In a testament to their prowess in digital technologies, five students delivered exceptional performance in the National Computer Science School (NCSS) Challenge
The challenge is an online programming competition facilitated by Grok Academy It serves as a terrific platform for school students to delve into the realms of programming and computational thinking.
Spearheaded by Grok Academy, the competition spans five weeks, during which participants receive a curated array of digital technologies teaching resources alongside a battery of challenging questions designed to evaluate their understanding.
Our five participants embraced the challenge with fervour, demonstrating their acumen in various programming languages and problem-solving skills
Congratulations to the following students for their results in the challenge:
Coen Pang (Year 6) – Achieved a high distinction in beginners Python
Hameesha Fernando (Year 7) – Achieved a high distinction in beginners Blockly
Yoanna Baskharoun (Year 8 ) – Achieved a high distinction in beginners Python
Maddix Kong (Year 8 ) – Achieved a merit in beginners Python
Cedric Pang (Year 9) – Achieved a distinction Intermediate
CAGS and CCW students trade leadership ideas
Our Senior and Junior School Student Leaders took part in an inspiring leadership day at Cathedral College Wangaratta (CCW) Dr Helen Haines, the Independent Federal Member for Indi educated students with her valuable insights on leadership, highlighting the power of simply showing up and being present for your community
She also took part in an informative Q&A session, sharing her experiences and strategies for handling opposition views and negativity in parliament
After Dr Haines’ address, our students dived into spirited round table discussions with their CCW counterparts, exploring the essence of leadership. They reflected on their individual roles and brainstormed actionable plans to implement back at school Our leaders returned to Cobram AGS brimming with renewed motivation and a clear vision for making impactful contributions
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L-R: Yoanna, Hameesha, Cedric, Maddix and Coen
Students begin plotting their future pathways
The Careers program in Term Two was bookended by two Subject Expos; each serving to assist our students with their academic and career planning
Subject Expo 1: Showcasing Senior School opportunities
The first Subject Expo was a community event that highlighted the diverse and exciting opportunities available within our Senior School curriculum This event was particularly important considering several new subjects have recently been introduced to the curriculum such as the VCE VM, Sports Academy and Project Ready
Each school faculty put tremendous effort into creating engaging information stalls, showcasing the unique aspects of their subjects.
A special mention must go to Year 12 student Madi McDiarmid for kindly sharing her journey at our school from Foundation through to VCE, providing an important personal perspective during the information session
Additionally, Gurhar Singh (Year 8) and Peyton Royston (Year 9) guided families and students around the gym equipment, highlighting the practical aspects of our Sports Academy program
The engagement between families, students, and teachers at both Expo events was exceptional. As the Year 10 students begin to finalise their subject choices, they are encouraged to utilise important resources like the careers website and seek guidance from Jade Drew and Mr Thompson where necessary
Other key events in the Careers program included:
My Pathways Day
'My Pathways Day' allowed our Year 10 students to reflect on their interests, strengths, and aspirations. Through various workshops and activities, they explored different options and the importance of aligning their subject choices with their long-term goals, culminating in a draft action plan
Morrisby Profiling
Our Year 9 students participated in Morrisby online profiling – a comprehensive career guidance tool that assesses abilities, personality traits, and preferences This profiling system generated personalised career reports, offering detailed career suggestions, educational pathways, and development tips tailored to each student's unique profile
These initiatives are part of our continued commitment to providing students with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed decisions about their academic and career pathways
To ensure our younger students also benefited from what was on display at the Expo, those in Years 3-6 toured the PAC the following morning, engaging wholeheartedly with the various props and activities!
Subject Expo 2: Preparing for VCE
The second expo was tailored to our Year 10 students and families, aiding them in their VCE subject selection for 2025 The formal part of the evening saw Head of Senior School Mr John Thompson and Careers Advisor Jade Drew cover the VCE curriculum, expected workload, and various educational pathways students can take.
This presentation also addressed essential topics such as subject prerequisites, pathways to tertiary education, and vocational opportunities
Get to know: Rosie Foster
Rosie Foster is one of our new staff members in 2024 and has brought a great deal of teaching experience and enthusiasm to our Junior School.
Let’s get to know a bit more about Rosie through some rapid fire questions:
1. What was your previous school?
I was a teacher at Yarrawonga P12 College for eight years before moving to Cobram AGS
2. What subjects are you qualified to teach and which year levels are you teaching this year?
I'm qualified to teach F-6 and am sharing the 1/2 classroom with Georgia Nicholson this year
3. What do you love most about being a teacher?
One of the things I love the most about being a teacher is getting to know students and their backgrounds, and what makes them 'tick'
4. What are you most looking forward to this year?
I am looking forward to getting to know my students and their families as well as the staff and wider school community.
5. What are your passions/hobbies outside of school?
Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family (I have three young children), in my garden or with my pet animals.
A relative newcomer not only to our school, but also to our wonderful country, Sara Keane has joined us as a Senior School Science teacher in 2024 The Crier touched base with Sara to find out what has led her to Cobram AGS.
CAGS community unites for Biggest Morning Tea
The generosity and community spirit of our school shone brightly when we united for Australia's Biggest Morning Tea.
A HUGE thank you to every family who contributed a plate of food and/or a gold coin donation to support the incredible work of Cancer Council Australia
We raised a total of $360 which will go towards funding cancer research.
1. How have you found your introduction to life at Cobram AGS?
My previous schools were all in the UK I've worked in middle schools and colleges of further education, but the majority of my teaching has been in a Catholic school
2. What subjects are you qualified to teach and which year levels are you teaching this year?
I'm qualified and have experience teaching all Sciences from Year 5 to Year 11 in both pure and applied forms However, my major passion has always been Biology, which I taught for many years up to and including Year 13 The UK system is different because we have exams at Years 11, 12 and 13 I have also taught Maths to Years 7, 8 and 9 since I've been in Australia.
3 What do you love most about being a teacher?
There are many things I love about being a teacher, the best of which is seeing students succeed I particularly love instilling a passion for Science into students who would otherwise never have dreamt of following it further as a study option or possible career
4. What are you most looking forward to this year?
As a relative newbie not only to this community, but to Australia, I particularly want to feel part of the community I live in; not just the school community, but Cobram and the surrounding areas. It’s vitally important to me to have a sense of “belonging”. This school has such a strong “family feel” that I know I'll be a true-blue Aussie very soon.
Community Corner
Cobram AGS students come to the fore at local cancer fundraiser
Casting our minds back to early Term Two, there was an amazing community event in which Cobram AGS students and staff played a central role in Year 10 students Parasdeep Gill, Ella Michelotti, Takoda Draper, Gracie Rice, and Mason Hazelman-Smallwood volunteered their time by serving tables and working in the kitchen at the 'Love Your Sister' cancer fundraiser at Cobram Civic Centre.
This well known charity was started by Australian actor Samuel Johnson and his late sister Connie Johnson. The organisation aims to raise funds and awareness for cancer research, with a particular focus on breast cancer, which Connie battled for many years
Leading up to the event, a group of Foods students in Patrick Wyhoon, Melissa Voeurn, Savannah Kernaghan, and Ally Stillard assisted Mrs White and Mrs Raco in preparing over 120 delectable desserts which were a unanimous hit on the night! It was fantastic to see the local community unite for such a great cause and and we were delighted to be involved in the fundraiser.
Students and staff remember the Stolen Generation at Sorry Day
On Monday 27 May, a group of us students and a few teachers made our way to Shepparton to attend a Sorry Day Commemoration ceremony
As we stood outside on a lovely sunny day and listened to the speakers talk about the meaning and impact of Sorry Day, we reflected on the multiple Indigenous children, parents and families that have been, and are still affected by the aftermath of the Stolen Generation
We were reminded of the importance of reconciliation and how to seek more information in regards to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia I thought the ceremony was done extremely well It evoked emotion for me personally as I heard the hardships of my people
Speaker Uncle Bobby Nicholls also talked about some of the modern day horrors affecting Indigenous Australians and how we must remain vigilant and aware in regards to these Learning about a dark chapter of Australia’s history is tough and heart breaking, but it is what must be done in order to progress our society
I personally felt very emotional during and after the commemoration as I thought about my ancestors and family members who had been deeply affected by these atrocities. After the beautiful ceremony we made our way back to school and remembered those who were a part of the Stolen Generation
This reflection was written by Year 12 student, Jett Robbins
Celebrating our superheroes
What a fantastic morning we had celebrating our amazing mothers and special women at our annual Mother's Day Breakfast
Our Year 12 students introduced a fresh twist to the breakfast menu this year and they duly rose to the occasion by preparing over 130 yogurt and granola cups with the help of Ms Doyle, Mrs Knight and Mrs Clark! In addition, they made countless coffees and buttered numerous pieces of raisin toast, showcasing a fantastic team effort in the kitchen!
As well as a delicious breakfast on offer, there were several highly sought after lucky door prizes up for grabs which were kindly donated by local businesses. A massive thank you to Noonan's Showcase Jewellers, Amcal Pharmacy, and Osroc Hairdressing for their generous donations of these fabulous Mother's Day gifts.
Our Parents and Friends (P&F) group also organised a fantastic raffle with the prize being a stacked hamper basket full of goodies! Events of this scale are only possible with assistance from student volunteers, staff, and the P&F group. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this morning so special
Most of all, we hope our mums and special ladies enjoyed a wonderful morning at our school spent with their loved ones!
Junior School Disco lights up the night
Oh what a night! The Junior School Disco was one heck of a party! Our Parents and Friends (P&F) organised a wonderful event, providing a great opportunity for our Junior School students to relax and have fun dancing with their friends.
The night was divided into two sessions, starting with our youngest dancers from Foundation to Year 2 They enthusiastically participated in games like limbo, freeze dance and musical chairs. The second half of the evening belonged to the Year 3-6 students and they were just as enthusiastic!
Each class selected four favorite songs, ensuring the playlist was filled with tunes they loved to dance to.
A special thank you to Year 12 students Amelia Packer and Madi McDiarmid who generously volunteered their Friday night to help organise activities and ensure everyone had an unforgettable time.
The Junior School disco was a rollicking success Many thanks to our wonderful P&F team for making this event possible!
The Music program at Cobram AGS continues to flourish This was evident at the ASC Talent Quest held at Trinity Anglican College midway through the term
Five gifted musicians were accompanied by Mrs Trish Chmiel to Thurgoona to display their remarkable talent alongside other ASC eastern states schools and the results were nothing short of spectacular!
Chase Bouchier (Year 6) captivated the audience with his soulful guitar melodies and original vocals, earning him FIRST PRIZE against a highly talented line up of performers. Chase performed ‘Day By Day’ (original arrangement) and ‘I've Got You’ by Lennon and Maisy Stella.
Alice was very deservingly Highly Commended by the judges for her performance.
Alice Lebner (Year 4) charmed everyone with her stellar ukulele solo and sweet vocals of ‘Down on the Corner’ by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Bosco Su (Year 9) equally impressed the judges with his piano and flute ability, while Hameesha Fernando (Year 7) and Bronte Bate (Year 5) led an energetic group ukulele performance that had the entire crowd on their feet!
These students did an outstanding job and continue to raise the bar under the exceptional guidance of our Music teacher, Mrs Chmiel Keep reaching for the stars!
Year 12s lead annual Winter Appeal
Our school community once again showcased incredible generosity by supporting the Cobram AGS Winter Appeal, providing essential assistance to those facing hardships during the colder months
'Giving Day' on 26 June was a resounding success, with a large number of non-perishable food and toiletry items donated by our students and their families.
These contributions will be packed into emergency relief kits and distributed this winter through St Margaret’s Church and Cobram Food Bank
In addition to these donations, our Year 12 students, along with Ms Doyle and Mr Thompson, participated in the annual Winter Sleepout.
Above is a reflection written by Year 12 student and Head of Anglican Identity, Nathan Gossayn
Our Year 12 class had the opportunity to experience life from the eyes of the homeless We were all intrigued by how the night would go. As it is the middle of winter, the sense of cold was very evident in our minds and so it should have been.
The night was extremely cold and we found ourselves using whatever blankets and sleeping bags we brought to keep us warm The night was not all bad though as we had warm soup for dinner and played some card games to keep us busy
We watched a movie on homelessness called ‘Some Happy Day’ which showed us the true reality of homelessness and made us realise just how lucky we are to have the things we have It was definitely an experience that I'm sure will stay with us for years to come
Images kindly supplied by Trinity Anglican College.
Abigail working on solutions to prominent rural issues alongside young leaders
During the Term One holidays, Year 11 student Abigail Brooker attended her first Rural Youth Ambassador forum in Melbourne.
Abigail engaged in a range of purposeful activities such as meetings with senior members of the Department of Education; Resource Smart Schools, the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria, the Victorian Student Representative Council, and the team at RMIT University
Reflecting on her experience, Abigail told the Crier the following: "It was the first of four forums focusing on networking within our communities and discussing youth advocacy challenges specific to rural areas, along with some strategies to overcome them "
Anglican Identity With Ms Shea Doyle
Recently, Cobram AGS staff attended the Anglican Schools Commission Anglican Identity Day event held at Cathedral College Wangaratta.
She continued: "Meeting 22 fellow Rural Youth Ambassadors from across Victoria was enlightening It prompted me to consider the changes I can advocate for within my school and in the broader community ”
“The highlight for me was connecting with other ambassadors and learning from their leadership styles and visions for community change,” Abigail added
Abigail attended the second forum in Melbourne from 12-14 June At this forum the Rural Youth Ambassadors had the opportunity to visit the University of Melbourne (as seen in the bottom image)
We look forward to hearing about the next two forums!
The day supports staff from the four eastern states ASC schools to come together for purposeful reflection and worship
During the morning Eucharist, The Reverend Doctor Eleanor O'Donnell highlighted how important our balanced approach to faith is to the everyday life of ASC schools. She referred to the analogy of a “three-legged stool” which is often used to describe the Anglican approach to matters of faith and belief It involves using a balance of Scripture, Tradition and Reason to guide our actions.
Considering scripture and its themes, then thinking about the principles that underpin our expressions of faith (i.e. tradition), and finally using our ability to think for ourselves
Following the Eucharist, two very engaging keynote speakers shared their stories The first, a long serving Anglican school principal, inspired with her message of the significance of “service” in Anglican schools and the second, an Australian Olympian gymnast, encouraged perseverance and determination through his journey to elite competition and a Pommel Horse demonstration!
In his address, The Reverend Peter Laurence OAM, the Chief Executive Officer of the Anglican Schools Commission reminded us of the significance of our Anglican Identity and prompted us to consider how it is expressed in our schools We were reminded of the opportunity we have every day to share stories of and practice our faith whilst at the same time welcoming, with a generous spirit, those of other faith traditions or those of no faith.
One of the most important ways in which we celebrate our Anglican identity and share the words of the scriptures is through worship and this term we have continued to explore a variety of themes in both our Junior and Senior School Chapel Services. Both cohorts have particularly enjoyed engaging with the activities allowing them to reflect on the message of the readings and prayers presented by the House Leaders and School Captains.
Another way in which we cultivate our Anglican Identity at Cobram AGS is through acts of service and one of the highpoints of this term was our commitment to the Diocese of Wangaratta Anglicare Winter Appeal. Our students were invited to bring a nonperishable food item or toiletry item to our Giving Day held in the last week of term.
The items donated where packed into emergency relief kits for distribution this winter through St Margaret’s Church and Cobram Food Bank. Further to this, our Year 12 cohort participated in the traditional winter sleepout aimed at raising awareness of the challenges face by homeless people in our community.
Principal’s Message
From Mr Keith Willett
It is difficult to encapsulate the unbelievable variety of activities that have shaped this term in a few paragraphs
Many of which have been covered in this edition of The Crier. Instead, I would firstly like to address some of the exciting things that are on the horizon for our school
• The construction of our Trades Centre continues to be a major focus for our school The goal is for this $2.9 million project to be completed and functional by February 2025 And what a fantastic addition to our school facilities this will be. The infrastructure is going to be stateof-the-art and will enable us to fulfil our educational obligation to students across the region by offering both academic and applied learning career pathways to all students This means we really will be a school for all people.
• On Thursday 25 July, our entire Year 12 cohort will be attending the Anglican Schools Australia School’s Service at St Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne
P&F Update
With Liliana Novoa
What were the P&F’s major Fundraising initiatives in Term Two?
In Term Two, the P&F ran the Mother's Day Stall over two days, a uniform pop up shop, provided supper at the school production and led the Junior School Disco. Thank you to everyone who assisted us with these events, especially the staff and Year 12 students that attended the Disco to help supervise and entertain the attendees as this was our major event of the term!
What were the total funds raised?
Historically speaking this has been a fantastic experience for our students and promises to be so once again
• In September this year we have four students travelling to Samoa with Mrs Carolyn White for a service experience The opportunity for these young people to fly across the Pacific Ocean and engage in a different culture and work with students from our sister school, All Saints Samoa, is a great thing and we look forward to hearing of their adventures upon return to school
Getting back to the events of Term Two, as I am writing this article on 26 June, many of our Year 12 students are preparing for their annual Winter Sleepout. The purpose of this event is to create an awareness within our young people of how lucky we are and how others not so fortunate require support from the community.
Informing you of the Winter Sleepout and the Anglicare Winter Appeal is a perfect segway into a brief summary of how we enact our Anglican Identity at Cobram AGS Obviously our students and staff attend Chapel services and our students engage in RAVE classes but I sometimes think that for young people (and indeed in many cases adults), being able to explain what is meant by Anglican Identity is a challenging concept. How do we enact our Anglican Identity?
The Mother's Day Stall saw students purchase beautiful locally produced items for parents, carers and special people in their lives The stall raised $1150.
How will the money raised this term support our students moving forward? We have recently donated funds to the VCE Centre furniture upgrade; aprons for woodwork students and to the new Drone program We are looking forward to funding projects in other areas of the school as the need arises.
What are some upcoming P&F events to look forward to?
In Term Three we will be running the Father's Day Stall over two days (28 & 29 August) We also hope to set up the pop up uniform shop again as the weather starts to warm up. Term Four will be a busy one, with a Trivia Night planned for Friday 18 October (save the date!) as well as a Colour Run for the students.
At Cobram AGS we have a very strong emphasis on Service Learning and assisting others We actually have a Service Learning elective in Year 9 and 10 and there are many other service type activities to which our students are exposed to from Foundation through to Year 12.
These service activities and experiences represent a real life link between what we physically do and the enacting of our Anglican Identity. So, in terms of understanding what is meant by Anglican Identity, our students have a real anchor point through their service to others.
In staffing news, we are very happy to announce the employment of Mr Peter Watson. Peter is a highly experienced Maths and Science teacher who has taught predominantly across the secondary setting.
We certainly welcome Peter with great enthusiasm In addition to this news, we farewell Mrs Melissa Knight who is pursuing other career options. We thank Melissa for all of her valuable work and wish her every success in the future.
I trust all have a great semester break and I look forward to the challenges and excitement of Term Three.
How can families, carers and friends from the Cobram AGS community get involved with the P&F in Semester Two?
We are planning on holding our first meeting for the semester in a social setting, most likely the Cobram Hotel, on Tuesday 13 August Stay tuned via our Facebook page and school socials for more information as the date approaches.
Our meetings are generally held on the second Tuesday of each month and with the exception of meetings held off site, we set up access to our meeting via Microsoft Team so that people can still take part if they are unable to attend in person.
We welcome any parents and carers that would like to help with any of our fundraisers. Please keep an eye on our Facebook page as we post on the page when we need some assistance We will be seeking assistance for our upcoming Father's Day Stall, running on 28-29 August.
Junior School Report
With Mrs Fiona Clark
memorable moments that have defined this period at Cobram AGS.
I would like to take a moment to reflect on the incredible achievements and We commenced the term with a heartfelt tribute to our nation’s heroes through a brief but respectful ANZAC Day assembly, followed by a well-attended Cobram march on 25 April. The event brought together students, staff, and parents to commemorate the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who have served, and continue to serve our country We were truly moved by the respect and gratitude displayed by our students during this solemn occasion.
Our Year 5-6 interschool sports teams showcased their exceptional
Senior School Report
With Mr John Thompson
Before I outline the highlights of the term, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the amazing staff I work with here at Cobram AGS
Without your dedication to go the extra mile, so many of the events I will discuss just cannot take place I’m absolutely confident that with the dedication of our staff and the new programs we have on offer, we will continue our growth trajectory and be an educational leader in our community.
Term Two hit the ground running with our Year 10 students completing their three day Melbourne experience camp. We completed that week with an amazing Senior School Formal I think I speak for attendees on the night that a brilliant time was had by all A massive thank you goes to the team of Year 12 students who were entrusted to organise the event.
talents and sportspersonship throughout the term when competing against the other local primary schools. The determination of students in a sporting sense was also reflected at the whole school Cross Country whereby all students gave it their best shot.
The 5-6 students were also lucky to participate in an incursion, learning about radio awareness and communication. They had a great time producing a mock radio report and were taped in a studio like environment.
Pirate Day saw our Junior students having a bit of fun with their swords and scabbards in preparation for the school production. The Mother’s Day stalls were a popular event once again, with the P&F continuing to supply a selection of cost friendly products for students to buy for their loved ones.
The Foundation students continue to grow and follow the routine of school. I was lucky enough to watch some writing and recounts with the kids from the King’s Birthday weekend
Week two saw out attention shift to future Senior School students with the Expo evening This event was a magnificent showcase of everything Cobram AGS has to offer. Following this, potential Year 7 (2025) students completed the first of two ‘Taster Days’, gaining important practical experience on what a Senior School day would be like
We also saw Year 11 students take off for their week-long excursion to Ballarat and Melbourne With a focus on options beyond school, this camp saw students undertake tours of tertiary institutions to help plan their futures
The Year 12 English excursion to Melbourne to watch the stage show of ‘Sunset Boulevard’ was a particularly memorable experience for many Our school production was a massive highlight for the year to date not only because we got to see Mr O dressed as a mermaid, but because we witnessed the hard work and effort of all involved come together with a couple of wonderful performances A credit to Miss Dixon and the team that put it all together.
We continued to host local kindergarten children which gave us a wonderful platform to showcase our beautiful school and students to the early learning centres around the district They are always amazed at our grounds and what is behind the view from the front of the school.
As we prepare for a well deserved break, we encourage students to take time for rest, rejuvenation, and pursuing their passions Term Three holds exciting prospects, including upcoming events like the Year 3-4 Beechworth camp, Book Week and dress ups (stressful for some), the Athletics Carnival and many more enriching educational experiences and new opportunities for personal growth.
We extend our gratitude to the entire school community for your ongoing support and collaboration throughout this term. It is through our collective efforts that we continue to nurture a thriving learning environment for our students.
Wishing you all a safe and enjoyable holiday break
Although we are only half way through 2024, we began to look ahead to 2025 with ‘My Pathways Day’ and the VCE Information Night for Year 10 students and families once again highlighting the diverse range of options available to students as they navigate their way through Years 11 and 12. A high amount of work goes into these events and I’d like to thank Jade Drew for all that she does in this space
In closing, I’d like to thank Melissa Knight for her work as Year 7-9 Year Level Coordinator for Semester One I wish you all the best in your new endeavours.
I’ve never felt more confident in the future of Cobram AGS and our ability to provide a wonderful education that is strongly aligned with our Anglican Identity and values I’m truly fortunate to work with an amazing team of staff and the students we have here at our school.
With that said, as winter and illnesses impose themselves on many of us, this semester break is certainly welcome. I wish everyone a safe and restful holiday period and look forward to welcoming students back to school for classes on 22 July.
Sports Update
With Mr Jon O’Dwyer
Term Two proved to be an extremely busy term for our amazing sports stars at Cobram AGS.
Here are some of the notable achievements that were accomplished:
School-Related
Cross Country: Following our successful school Cross Country event, 12 Junior School and 5 Senior School students competed at Divisional level This saw Oliver Adkins (Year 5), Neve Macheda (Year 6), Cameron Harb (Year 8 - 3rd place), Jet Munro (Year 9) and Kasey Caldow (Year 10 – 2nd place) qualify for the Regional event in Benalla Jet (13th) and Kasey (15th) just missed out on going to the State event.
Interschool Sport: We have had an extremely busy term with interschool sport at both Junior and Senior School levels. At Junior level, our Year 5-6 students (some from Year 3-4 for football) have had a great season in the Murray Valley Year 5-6 winter competition, in which we had a football team and two netball teams compete. Our footballers went on to win every game bar one (against a very strong St Joseph’s Cobram outfit), whilst the A Grade netballers also went through winning every game bar one (to Strathmerton Primary)
Our B Grade netball squad, with many of the team playing for the first time, did incredibly well and improved as the season progressed A huge thank you to the Year 10 Sports Academy students, who, as part of their Academy studies, took control of all the coaching and officiating of these events, as well as training the squads in readiness for competition.
At Senior level in the winter sports competition, our Division 1 netball team finished 4th behind three Notre Dame College teams, coming away with a 5/3 win/loss ratio, whilst the Division 2 team finished 6th Bonnie Bugge (Year 10) and Sam Stillard (Year 10) both won High Guns in their respective divisions at the clay target shooting One of our girls’ badminton teams (Leah Willis, Olivia Thompson, Melissa Voeurn, Ally Stillard and Ava Talbot) made it through to the final but couldn’t quite overcome a very good Notre Dame team A brilliant effort nonetheless!
In the Year 7-8 competitions, one of our Year 8 boys’ badminton teams (Maddix Kong, Harlin Robbins, Ben Dean and Harry Thompson) took all before them to come away from the Divisional event having won all their sets and qualified for the Regional Championships in August! Our Division 2 Year 8 girls netball team finished in 3rd place and our Year 8 boys soccer team did a magnificent job in losing just one game for the day (to the eventual champions) Next term we will be having our two Athletic Carnivals in mid August.
Skipping: As part of our involvement in the Jump Rope For Heart program, our Foundation to Year 7 students were given the opportunity to sign up and raise some money for the Heart Foundation. At the time of writing we had 28 students registered with 13 of these doing some fundraising, accumulating $2,112 in total! They also registered 29 hours worth of skipping, with Nicolas Burns (Year 2) being the main student who immersed himself in performing some remarkable achievements. This included raising over $500 and clocking in over 10 hours worth of skipping! Our Jump Off Day held in the last week of term was a huge success and lots of fun for all!
Anglican Identity Day: What an effort by our very own Mr Jordan Taylor, who took on a mighty challenge at short notice to assist one of the presenter’s (former Australian Olympian Brennon Dowrick) at the Anglican Identity Day for Victorian/NSW ASC schools. Jordan had to do a full rotation of a pommel horse using only his hand/arms to move and he did it! What a legend
Extra-Curricular
Dance: Lacey Eddy (Year 10) and Jett Robbins (Year 12) have continued to make amazing inroads with their dancing and both students attended a day-long workshop in a professional dance environment after being talent identified The duo are now successfully utilising this training in the many competitions they are involving themselves in.
Gymnastics: Bridie Iskov (Year 5) is working hard to ensure her body is in tip-top working condition as she qualified for Nationals earlier in the term This has been accomplished by travelling to Albury to receive high level tutelage and training which has helped propel her to this unbelievable level Jean-Marie Jonker (Year 6) has also qualified for Nationals with her local troop!
Badminton: A number of our students dominated the annual Cobram badminton tournament Melissa Voeurn (Year 10) took out the A Grade girls competition, with Ava Talbot (Year 9) coming 3rd In the A Reserve boys grade, Bosco Su (Year 9) was the successful winner with a perfect score and he had Maddix Kong (Year 8), Cedric Pang (Year 9) and Ben Dean (Year 8) all hot on his heels!
The B Grade girls fixture was keenly contested between twin sisters Jessica and Vanessa Voeurn (both Year 7), with Jessica taking the honours The C Grade boys fixture saw Jordan Talbot (Year 7) dominate with a perfect score to bring home the bacon from Coen Pang (Year 6) Herbie Euston (Year 7) got a mention for his remarkable improvement made. In the C Grade girls competition, Angelina Mckay and Melody Su (both Year 6) fought it out for the title, with Angelina scrapping home by a mere point!
As you can see, this term has left us all feeling pretty exhausted from all the sport that we have been involved in Take care over the holidays and I look forward to attacking Term Three with gusto!
Star equestrian duo qualify for Nationals!
During the Term One school holidays, Kasey Caldow (Year 10) and Emily Stone (Year 6) dazzled crowds with their equestrian prowess at the PETstock Equestrian Victoria Interschool State Championships, held in Werribee.
Kasey showcased her skills in the 100cm senior jumping class alongside her trusty steeds, Saddle up Diego (Diego) and Saddle up Going High (Tangles). Over the course of three rounds, Kasey's consistency of performance stood out:
In Round 1 she secured a commendable 4th place riding Diego.
During the two-phase event she soared to 3rd place, again with Diego
In the intense one-round jump-off, she clinched 3rd place, ultimately earning her a 2nd overall finish in the 100cm category, and the prestigious title of Reserve Champion!
Kasey's outstanding performance earned her a coveted spot on Team Vic for the upcoming 2024 Nationals which will take place in September at Tamworth
Meanwhile, Emily delivered an equally impressive performance in the 70cm primary class in the saddle of Riverview Rosie (Rosie) Her results were as follows:
In Round 1 she claimed 3rd place.
During the two-phase event she secured 7th place
In the one-round jump-off, she achieved 4th place
Overall, Emily captured 2nd place in the Primary 70cm jump category, sharing the top spot in points but coming 2nd on countback She was also declared Reserve Champion, securing her passage to Nationals!
Dance trio bound for shot at national glory
After securing a spot at Nationals last year, our exceptionally talented Schoolaerobics trio consisting of Evalee Royston (Year 10), Bonnie Bugge (Year 10), and Peyton Royston (Year 9) have once again showcased their skills! Below are their achievements at the recent Victorian Schoolaerobics State Championships:
Peyton:
Secured 1st place in Orange Secondary Junior Single Achieved 1st place in Oldskool 100% Cheer Advanced to the Cheer Audition stage
Evalee: Claimed 1st place in Orange Secondary Senior Single Achieved 1st place in Oldskool 100% Cheer Advanced to the Cheer Audit
Bonnie:
Secured 1st place in Oldskoo
The girls’ hard work and dedication have certainly paid off, earning them a spot at the National Championships in Adelaide which will be held from August 8-12 this year!
We can't wait to see this talented trio represent us on the national stage!
Congratulations to both Kasey and Emily on this outstanding achievement We now eagerly anticipate seeing the two students represent us on the national stage where they will come up against the best riders from across the country!
Good luck!
