5 minute read
Community Connections
#CGSFROMHOME Our school community connected in different ways in Term 2 due to working in isolation. Despite this, the school has demonstrated community spirit in remarkable ways. From staff members printing face masks and creating boot bags for frontline medical staff, to Junior School students participating in the community Rainbow Trails and window Bear Hunts. We have seen video messages of support from Senior School students and amazing online musical performances. We are so proud of the way our school community has come together during this time.
Community Rainbow Trail
During the time of COVID-19 the rainbow has become a symbol of hope whilst practicing social distancing at home. All students in Junior School were asked to create a rainbow in whatever way they wished. Students sent in photos of the results and Junior School Art teacher, Ms Tsolakis, put together a video of our Junior School CGS Rainbow Trail which was shard with our school community.
In addition to the Rainbow Trail, our Junior School students got into the community spirit by placing bears in their windows as part of the ‘Bear Hunt’ that we have been witnessing on the streets of Melbourne. Many CGS families got involved to spread some joy to passers-by.
Boot Bags and Scrubs for COVID
The surgical team at Austin Hospital were very grateful for the boot bags our Costume Designer, Mrs Jennifer Bennie, created to help during these busy times with COVID-19. These were made by upcycling wraps that are used for wrapping clean, sterilised instruments. Mrs Bennie then began working hard to make scrubs as part of ‘Rona Scrubs’, a group making scrubs for healthcare heroes such as GPs.
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Studying at home in isolation is not always easy. Our Prefects put together this humorous video for other Camberwell Grammar School students. In this video they talked about the importance of checking in with your mates, staying fit (and taking your cat for walks!), taking the opportunity to learn a new skill or hobby, balancing academic work with relaxation, maintaining good hygiene and importantly emphasising that students can meet the challenges presented by staying optimistic.
Our Senior School students also put together this pretty spectacular vocal performance which was featured in a School Assembly video. The students performed ‘Perfect’ by Ed Sheeran.
ANZAC Day 2020 Special Video Assembly
Anzac Day was a little different this year because we could not gather together to pay tribute to those who served our country in the Australian Defence Forces. Instead, we paid tribute from home in a variety of ways. We watched a special Anzac Day Assembly put together by the school which you can view here:
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While at home, CGS student Joey Govenlock (Year 8) played ‘The Last Post’ on ANZAC Day morning for the neighbourhood and shared this video with us:
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Middle and Senior School Musical Performance
Whilst in isolation, students and staff members missed the familiar sights and sounds of the school, such as falling Autumn leaves or music ensembles playing together.
To remind us of this joy, string musicians from Middle and Senior School made home recordings of Ravel’s ‘Pavane pour une infante defunte’. They put together this video, accompanied by photos from around the school taken by Mrs Anne Walters.
Police Tribute
On 24 April 2020 Camberwell Grammar School was lit up in blue in honour of the police officers who tragically lost their lives in Kew. This was one of the ways that our community remembered those lost.
Margaret Barry’s Bali Community Foundation
COVID-19 has devastated workers in Bali’s tourism industry and their families, including former Camberwell Grammar student and luxury hotel worker, Eka Purnawan (2014 Old Boy, pictured with friends from his time at CGS). His family, which just welcomed his brother’s second child, are among thousands of Balinese whose livelihoods have been lost with no tourists to welcome. Fortunately, some friends Eka made during his three years of sponsored education at CGS donated care packages of foodstuffs and basic necessities to his family which, like thousands of others, needs support to survive this health and economic crisis.
The CGS community can continue to assist by donating to Margaret Barry’s Bali Community Foundation, which is providing care packages to seriously disadvantaged families sponsored by the Bali Children Foundation.
Click here to contribute or find out more.
