Community Connections

Connections

Courage to Care Workshops

During Term 1, our Year 8 students were privileged to hear first-hand accounts from Holocaust survivors from ‘Courage to Care’. The stories from survivors demonstrated how their survival was only possible through the courageous acts of strangers throughout the period of WWII. The volunteers had great things to say about our students, commenting on their thoughtful attention during sessions and their subsequent letters of response that they sent to the speakers. This is now the fourth year that the organisation has visited Camberwell Grammar, which serves the secondary purpose of consolidating student’s foundational knowledge for the study of John Boyne’s novel, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.

Rotary Interact

The first meeting of the School’s Rotary Interact Club was well attended early in the term with ideas for fundraising flowing freely. Going by this first meeting, it promises to be a stellar year of fundraising for our local and international charities. In mid-March the Club held a very successful sausage sizzle at lunchtime with $1,220 raised for our international and local charities. With approximately 50 students from Years 9 -12 regular attendees at lunchtime meetings, and the support of our parent club Canterbury Rotary Club, our Interact Club is intent on upholding the motto ‘Service Above Self’.

PLUS Donations

This term PLUS donated 12 boxes of shorts and jumpers to Backpacks 4 Vic Kids. This charity provides relocated foster children with a few essential items to ease feelings of loss and to help with their move. Often children are placed quickly into foster care, kinship care, or emergency accommodation without much more than what they are wearing at the time. They are often short of clothes items for the older children, so Backpacks 4 Vic Kids were very grateful to have the items that PLUS had in excess donated to them. You can find out more information at www.backpacks4vickids.org.au Next, our PLUS volunteers are keen to visit their warehouse in Cranbourne to have a look at what they do and see what else we may be able to donate as a school community.

Farewell Andrew Beale: A Team Player

Andrew began his career at Camberwell in 1992 with a baptism of fire. His first class was in Year 10 Chinese, with 29 students. Some were born in Mandarin areas of China and fluent in both Mandarin and English, some spoke little English, some were fluent in Cantonese but struggled in Mandarin and some were fourth generation Australians determined to master a new language. And, as in any class, some were highly motivated and/or talented, and some were not. It is hard to imagine how a teacher could pitch his classes so that all boys would benefit. History records that Andrew’s diligence, thoughtfulness, and empathy led to positive outcomes for most. Perhaps more importantly, his experiences led him to advocate for the introduction of separate Chinese courses on a first/ second language basis. With persistence, and with help from John Tuckfield and Chinese teachers from other schools, this was achieved, leading to a change in VCE courses across the state. Andrew served as Secretary/Treasurer of the Chinese Teachers’ Association for 11 years. One of Andrew’s techniques for getting ESL students onside was to show them the Abbott and Costello skit ‘Who’s on first’, still a classic.

Hundreds of boys, parents and staff owe Andrew a debt of gratitude for his organisation of tours to China. He ran five of them himself, focusing on language, history, and culture. When Andrew attended his initial interview with Headmaster Colin Black there was some confusion on where one could park. Keen not to be late, Andrew parked in the space allocated to the Head of Junior School. This was considered a major crime, and it was only years later that Andrew had the courage to confess. He was not deterred, however, and over the years he made an art form of stationing one of his battered jalopies in parking spots allocated to higher powers. Andrew was a tutor in Derham House under Heads of House Greg Taplin, Richard Jackson, and Matt Christopher. Each of those can attest that Andrew was absolutely reliable and often went the second mile without being asked. A generation of boys benefited from his advice, his care and his genuine concern when problems arose. Other tutors often sought Andrew’s help in translating conversations with parents who spoke little English. This assistance was extended to guardians, school counsellors, Heads of House, and even the Headmaster. Many a potential catastrophe was avoided by Andrew’s clarification to all parties on what the issue was and how it could be resolved.

Andrew’s work outside the classroom was monumental. He ran a plethora of Friday activities, and he was a football coach in his early days, taking teams to Assumption to kick the ice off the ground at 8.00am. And, as a colleague says: ‘He was the first to put up his hand for tasks that needed doing but weren’t blazed in glory or enjoyable.’ Another colleague says: ‘For 20 years Andrew was a popular 2nd X1 Coach who knew a great deal about cricket, and how to get the best out of his team. He gave his group opportunities to be involved in the running of the team which encouraged responsibility and independence. Andrew had the ability to get the best out of those who, at times, lacked confidence, motivation or discipline. Andrew was interested in all cricket teams and offered any assistance he could give. In addition, for 15 years he was a respected coach of 9A Hockey.’ ‘Andrew was also Teacher in Charge of Debating which involved the organisation of CGS teams and coaches for the Victorian Interschool Debating Competition held at the School. This involved a great deal of time and administration including many late nights, an onerous and thankless position. He also found time to mentor the Middle School teams for the Junior Secondary competition which he always volunteered to do.’ It is interesting to note that Andrew was happy to park his car on the boundary at cricket matches. He explained to the boys that any four or six which hit his car would lead to an improvement in its bodywork. There is a hallowed tradition of staff getting together on Friday afternoons to celebrate and evaluate the week. For many years Andrew provided not only the refreshments, but much homespun wisdom. Andrew is the father of three. Issues relating to his twin boys’ disabilities have become more challenging: they are now 18. Anyone who has seen him with the twins will know how devoted he is to their welfare. Andrew’s decision to retire is Camberwell’s loss but of immense benefit to his boys. ‘Bealey’ is the ultimate team player. He never sought accolades and always put others ahead of himself. He continues to do so. The school community salutes him.

Mr Julian Grigg

Numeracy and Learning Enhancement Teacher