Welcome to Mr Robert Gow

The Norge Village welcomed a new Head of Junior School this year, Mr Robert Gow. Here, he shares some insight into his journey to Camberwell Grammar.

I am delighted to join Camberwell Grammar and be part of the Norge Junior School community. I am excited to work with students, staff, and parents to give the students every opportunity to be their best. Everyone has been so welcoming, and the students come to school full of energy and enthusiasm, which is great to see.

In my younger years, I went to my local primary school and later I went to Bunyip Primary school in Gippsland, which was a wonderful experience going to a school of 80 students in a rural setting. In secondary school, I went to Mentone Grammar and really enjoyed being part of the AGSV sporting program. I have fond memories of playing against Camberwell Grammar and watching Tony Campbell (1985) dominating the football field. Having a passion for sport, and witnessing the impact great teachers had on my own development, inspired me to be a Physical Education teacher and Sport teacher.

For the past 10 years I was head of the Middle and Junior School at Wesley College. Before that, I was Head of Primary at Billanook College and Deputy Head of the

Toorak Campus – Geelong Grammar. Throughout my career I have always taught Physical Education and Sport. I enjoy studying and consider myself a lifelong learner. I have a Bachelor of Education, a Graduate Diploma in Educational Administration, and a Master of Education from The University of Melbourne. I recently enrolled in a short course to study garden design which is a passion of mine.

I am married to Janita, and together we have four children –Harrison (18), Max (16), Angus (14), and Estella (11). Most weekends I enjoy spending time in the garden and driving our children to Football, Rugby, Basketball, and Netball games. I have two dogs, Lola and Fergi. I enjoy walking them to the local café early on Saturday mornings to read the newspaper and have a coffee. As a family, we enjoy camping, and our best experience so far was exploring the Flinders Ranges in South Australia.

I am very fortunate to be a Junior School educator as we have a critical role in shaping young learners’ minds and preparing them for their academic and personal journey ahead. What has impressed me so far at Camberwell Grammar is that we have the resources and dedicated staff to help our students build strong foundations for academic success, to have fun, to help foster a love of learning, and to facilitate lifelong social and emotional skills. Ultimately, what inspires me to work in the Junior School is the chance to make a real difference in the lives of our younger students, and help them become confident, capable, and engaged young men.