News from Around the School

In February, fifteen Camberwell Grammar musicians performed in the 2023 Spring Festival Concert as part of the Cloud Concert Youth Orchestra at the Melbourne Recital Centre.

Congratulations to Patrick Homes (Year 12) who was awarded the State Prize in the Australia’s Wartime Experiences category for the National History Challenge 2022. He received his Gold Award at the state presentation held at the Victorian Archives Centre in November 2022.

Australian Youth Orchestra’s National Music Camp

During January, a few Camberwell Grammar musicians were privileged to participate in the Australian Youth Orchestra’s National Music Camp in Adelaide, playing alongside some of the most exciting up-and-coming young musicians from across the country.

In an action-packed two weeks, they participated in extraordinary repertoires ranging from the scenic Fontana di Roma to the tortured extravagance of Shostakovich’s renowned quartet and 6th Symphony. The friends and memories gained along the way made the camp a truly special experience and one to cherish.

Ray He and James Kerferd (Year 12)

It was a spectacular event, showcasing works by Grieg, Sarasate, Carl Vine, SaintSaens, and Brahms along with works by Huanzhi Li, An-Bang Pan, Gang Cheng, Zhanhao He, Su Yan and Chengzong Yin and Wanghua Chu.

The evening celebrated both the ecstasy of youth and the magnificent contribution the Chinese community has made to life in Melbourne.

Duke of Edinburgh

Congratulations to Josh Cooper (Year 11), who received a Bronze Certificate for participation in The Duke of Edinburgh Award. The Award is a leading structured (non-formal education) youth development program, empowering young Australians to explore their full potential and find their purpose, passion, and place in the world, regardless of location or circumstance.

To achieve an Award, the participant must learn a skill, improve their physical wellbeing, volunteer in their community, and experience a team adventure in a new environment.

Congratulations to Gino Yao (Year 8), who won a Bronze medal in the Australian Youth Fencing Circuit in February. The AYC is the Australian Fencing Federation’s main competition in Australia for students aged under 15 years.

In February, the Year 8 Film Studies class journeyed to Federation Square to participate in ACMI’s ‘Film Crew’ project. In small groups, they planned, shot, and edited their own ‘Mockumentary’ films, with some hilarious results! All film crews demonstrated great ingenuity and creativity in their scripting, camera, and post-production work, and there are definitely some budding comedic actors amongst the class! A fantastic day was had by all.

Mrs Penelope Wood Year 8 Film Studies teacher

Congratulations to the six Camberwell Grammar musicians who were awarded their AMEB Diplomas in March.

Darcy Livingstone (Year 12) was awarded AMusA with Distinction for piano and Derek Wei (Year 8) was awarded AMusA on both double bass and piano. Gino Yao (Year 8) was awarded AMusA for cello, Leo Qi (Year 9) was awarded AMusA with Distinction on violin, and Derrick Kwon (Year 10) was awarded AMusA on Cello.

Captain of Music Ray He was awarded his AMusA on cello in absentia.

Kenneth Atock Memorial Scholarship for Science

Congratulations to Matthew Lau (Year 11), this year’s recipient of the Kenneth Atock Memorial Scholarship for Science.

This scholarship was given to the School in a bequest from Kenneth Atock (1939), an alum, and is awarded to students for their academic performance in the Sciences to promote and encourage scientific education with an emphasis on studies of space and rocketry amongst scholars attending Camberwell Grammar.

With consistently high-level academic performance in his Science studies last year, Matthew is a worthy recipient of this scholarship.

Junior School House Swimming

In March, the Year 3, 4, and 5 students competed in the Junior School Inter-House Swimming Carnival at the School. Congratulations to all the students for participating in individual and relay events throughout the afternoon, and especially to Bridgland House and Summons House who shared the top spot as the 2023 House Swimming Champions.

Thank you to the staff and Senior School students who assisted on the day and made this a wonderful event.

Miss Lexie Joyce Junior School Head of Sport

AGSV Leaders

In February, Camberwell Grammar hosted a leadership program for the student leaders of the AGSV Schools.

A vital aspect of leadership is the ability to work with and through others, and the AGSV student leaders participated in a behavioural styles profiling workshop to develop this skill. Through a series of activities and discussions, the students gained insight into their personalities and preferred ways of working, exploring how others around them may differ in their styles and how to work effectively with those who may see the world from a different perspective than their own.

Our School Captains, Cooper Carbone and William Allsop, were fantastic hosts for the day.

Middle School House Sport Competition

In Term 1, Middle School students began the first rounds of House Sport on Friday afternoons. Events included European Handball, Volleyball, and Kick Ball.

Congratulations to all the Houses, and Steven House for taking first place in Term 1, closely followed by Bridgland House in Second.

In March, the Year 12 Theatre Studies students performed an adaptation of Kursk by Bryony Lavery. The play is set on a British submarine on a covert mission in the Barents Sea during which the Russian Federation nuclear submarine Kursk sinks after an onboard explosion.

For their stage, the students used the orchestra pit as a ‘found space’ which suited a claustrophobic submarine. The audience were lowered into place on the motorised PAC stage apron during ‘dive, dive, dive’ and to claxon sound effects. The submarine’s controls were the theatre’s lighting and sound boards, which the cast operated live onstage.

Mr Andrew Stocker Head of Drama

Senior School House Athletics

Congratulations to Bridgland for taking first place in the Senior School Athletics in March, winning the coveted Jarrett Cup. Derham and Summons came in equal second.

Thank you to all the students and staff who participated and assisted on the day. This competition is always a highlight in the Senior School calendar, and House spirit was on full display as teammates encouraged each other through each race and event.

Junior School AGSV Swimming

On Friday 24 March, 24 Junior and Middle School students competed in the 2023 AGSV Swimming Championship held at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre. Congratulations to all the swimmers who participated –the team had a successful day with 29 Top Three finishes.

Special mention to Quinn Richards (Year 6), who broke the AGSV 12/13 50M Breaststroke Record with a time of 38.98 seconds.

Miss Lexie Joyce Junior School Head of Sport

NAPLAN Results 2022

In February, the 2022 NAPLAN results were announced, showing which schools are best in class. Camberwell Grammar was ranked the best non-selective, secondary and primary boys’ school for NAPLAN results in Victoria.

Overall, Camberwell Grammar ranked as the top 8th secondary school in the State, and the top 5th primary school. Well done to our students, teachers, and staff for these fantastic results!

At the end of the term, Murrundindi began teaching a group of over 20 students the basics of how to play the didgeridoo using PVC pipes and tape.

The brainchild of Owen Wu (Year 10), who asked Murrundindi if he would be willing to teach students how to play, the School hopes to see these lessons expand to more students and staff interested in learning this special instrument.