YEARBOOK 2021
EXTENDED EDITION
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LEADERSHIP REPORTS Principal’s Message | 4 Head of Teaching and Learning | 6 Head of Junior School | 8 Head of Years 5 and 6 | 10 Head of Year 7 | 12 Head of Years 8 and 9 | 14 Years 10 and 11 Report | 16 Head of Year 12 | 18 Head Prefects’ Report | 20 Junior School Captains’ Report | 21 Middle School Captains’ Report | 22 Senior School Leaders’ Report | 23 2021 Prefects and Captains | 24
LEARNING REPORTS English | 28 Mathematics | 29 Science / STEM | 30 Creative Arts | 32 Languages | 36 Health and Physical Education | 38 Performing Arts: Music | 40 Performing Arts: Drama | 46 Humanities | 48 Wellbeing: Curriculum | 50 VCE Report | 52
OUR COMMUNITY 100 Days of Foundation | 56 Parents and Friends Committee | 62 Learning Resource Centre | 66 F-6 Athletics Carnival | 68 Elias’ Fundraising Success | 72 Thoughtful Thursday | 74 Year 1 Werribee Park Excursion | 76
EDITOR'S NOTE Thank you for generously sharing your stories, experiences and highlights over the year, and indeed our ten years, in the many publications and videos produced in 2021. It has been an honour to capture the myriad of voices in our community this year and I hope you feel a sense of joy and pride when reading the 2021 Yearbook. Enjoy! TOSAN FOSS HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING
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THE CLASS OF 2021 SCG 10 YEARS STRONG Southern Cross Grammar 2011-21 | 82 A Decade in Review | 86 SCG 10 Years Strong: An Interview with Mr Peter Inge | 90
SCG Class of 2021 | 104 Head Prefects’ Valedictory Speech | 107 2021 Star of the Southern Cross | 110 Gorton Young Leaders’ Award Address | 112 Class of 2021 Celebration Day | 116
OUR LEARNING COMMUNITY Students and Staff 2021 | 124
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE MR MATT DODD
The 2021 yearbook has captured the joy and resilience of our wonderful community. My cup has run over, this year, with a deep appreciation and gratitude for the privilege of leading our wonderful school. In a year that could be remembered for the weight of responsibility and challenge placed on all of us, I have a memory of admiration and appreciation. I have a clear picture of the hundreds, if not thousands, of kind acts, strong support, ingenuity and an adaptability that was, and always will be, underpinned by our commitment to providing the very best futures for our students, staff, and families. Schools represent far more than our core activity of reading and writing. In addition to teaching students how to teach themselves and how to become independent learners, schools also provide an opportunity to belong to something bigger than ourselves. This was felt viscerally at any number of events this year. The Parents and Friends Committee’s Supper under the Stars event was a terrific example of a community coming together to celebrate connection and learning. With many new spaces opening in 2022, such as the Café, Library and Auditorium, I’m confident that our solid tradition of involving parents and the community to partner with our staff will only grow stronger.
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2021 also marked a significant milestone in our history. Turning ten, is an opportunity to look back with gratitude for the countless people who have laid the foundations to our school. To be thankful to our Founding Principal, Mr Ponsford, our many volunteer Board members, long serving SCG staff including Mr Clarke, our Director of Corporate Services, and to the hundreds of families who put their hope and trust in our hands, and in do so, built the school through their support. Without those original families, SCG would have remained a hope rather than a reality! The many reflections captured in our Yearbook are such an important archive for future generations to understand the earlier years of their school. As current custodians of SCG, we should feel very proud about the stories we have and share, both individually and collectively. JFK reminds us that “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” In 2021 we certainly worked hard to live up to our appreciation of the past efforts. We launched the year with upgrades across the school, including a beautiful and secure reception, first aid room, science labs, improved administration, and our now much-loved sports science gymnasium. Our generous, skilled, and hard-working staff once again managed the many challenges that 2021 put before them with distinction. Like so many of our families, they worked from home and
cared for loved ones while also showing professionalism, composure, strength, and compassion. I’m sure everyone will join me in extending our deep gratitude and admiration for their work and kindness.
The many reflections captured in our Yearbook are such an important archive for future generations to understand the earlier years of their school. We also lived out the year with the Centuari Project rising from the ground to prominence, all the while providing a tangible backdrop to pin our hopes to: a hope for an easier, more joyful time to come in 2022. This most ambitious project will deliver opportunity for our students and as we hold true to our commitment to people centered practice, we now also have the joy of even greater resources to support this endeavor. I invite you to look back on this most important edition of our Yearbook in years to come and as COVID becomes smaller and smaller as it undoubtedly will with time, I hope what remains is a pride in how you managed to keep growing, how we all rose to support one another, and how SCG once again shone for us when we needed hope and belonging to keep moving forward with confidence I wish everyone a warm, safe, and well-earned break over summer as we anticipate returning to a bright 2022 together.
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HEAD OF TEACHING AND LEARNING Never in education's history have we experienced a rapid shift in teaching methodology. The skills and techniques we've learnt in the past year have created a powerhouse of ability for students. Well, it’s been a big one, hasn’t it! Never in education’s history have we experienced such a rapid shift in teaching methodology. Even though it was for reasons outside of our control, what I’m most excited by are the skills and techniques that will remain far longer than the COVID nose swabs.
MEGAN UNTHANK (ACTING) HEAD OF TEACHING AND LEARNING
How will you learn from the experience of the past 12 months and use it to your advantage? Set some fresh goals in 2022 because the tide has turned in education over the last two years—it’s now or never to catch that wave.
Adapting to learning at home lends itself very well to the concept of a flipped classroom. This is something that schools would usually spend years developing in their students.
While students may have found the remote learning experience a difficult one, the thought routines and neural pathways created during this time will become a powerhouse of ability when we return to a more stable on-site teaching model again. The benefits of this approach include a significant rise in independent learning capabilities, and resilience—two skills students of today need in spades when they enter tertiary education. When students spend time with the content independently at home, they are then able to immerse themselves in the exploration of the inquiry while on-site in the classroom. The research tells us that depth of knowledge and recall ability improves exponentially when classrooms are flipped. So, while students may have found the remote learning experience a difficult one, the thought routines and neural pathways created during this time will become a powerhouse of ability when we return to a more stable on-site teaching model again. Using Webex for small study groups or navigating the wealth of resources on Schoolbox are now extra tools students can use to consolidate or extend their learning. I’m very much looking forward to how our current Year 7 students, the Class of 2026, will perform when they reach VCE after going through Ms Rovetto’s School of Webex. I wonder too how Mr Ogden’s group of Outdoor Education students in Year 9, the Class of 2024, will fare having been taught to improvise, adapt, and overcome. 7
HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL This Junior School has been filled with energy and excitement as we moved through the year's twists and turns. In doing so, our students, staff and parents have again shown our strength lies in our community. Like adjusting to our seasons, we adapted our programs to remote learning settings as needed; the challenge of lockdowns did little to stop us connecting our staff and students, their families and our homes.
ROMINA PIMPINI
Events and activities that strengthened our connectedness included the Years 3-6 Swimming Carnival and Cross Country in Term 1, where students cheered in their House groups and encouraged each other to do their best. Celebrating the Lunar New Year reminded us of traditions and rituals that matter, as we acknowledged our cultural diversity. We launched our Buddy Program in Term 1. The Program saw Foundation students paired with Year 5 Buddies across the corridor, providing opportunity for guidance, mentoring and lots of fun memories! We also enjoyed hosting a parent visit to our Foundation classrooms sharing some of our school routines during the Foundation Breakfast. Our Enrichment Program was popular and had wait lists across the board. Inspiring Inventors, Swift Virtual Scavengers, Wonderful Wand Makers, Fantastic Foodies, Dance Divas and Coding Creators developed new skills and made some new friends through
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the six-week program. Students shared performances and achievements in assembly, and were enjoyed by their peers, staff and families at home. A huge congratulations to everyone who took part and to the passionate staff who hosted the groups. It was a rewarding experience for all.
It is our people that make the difference in the Junior School, and 2021 has proven that once again. Student leaders played a vital role in setting the scene this year too. Their environmental and social conscience saw us focus on a strong start, looking after our environment, as well as raising money for worthy causes that effect children just like them. Our leaders hosted assemblies, both onsite and online, working as a team and encouraging others to participate and showcase their learning and achievements. This team of young leaders met regularly and planned for events and programs including our lunchtime activities, fundraising, and being mentors to students across the Junior
School with regards to environmental and social aspects of our school day.
As we guide our youngest learners and leaders of SCG to be aspirational and simply great human beings, our journey is strengthened by partnerships, both in the classroom and beyond.
leaders of SCG to be aspirational and simply great human beings, our journey is strengthened by partnerships, both in the classroom and beyond.
What an inspiration they have been! Once again, during our periods of remote learning, we upheld our prioritisation of learning, connection and care. Challenges and class competitions provided opportunities for students and their families to get creative, be active or simply participate in something bigger than themselves. Junior School students designed Olympics postcards, as well as pretend holiday snaps in our Wish You Were Here activity. They spent time in their garden at home, rode bikes, ate donuts and shared Random Acts of Kindness as part of their school week. Of course, this could not be achieved without the love and support from families at home. It is our people that make the difference in the Junior School, and 2021 has proven that once again. As we guide our youngest learners and 9
HEAD OF YEARS 5 AND 6 The Class of 2027 and 2028 have risen to the challenge of being leaders in their own right, magnificently, taking on responsibility as they strove to make their learning experiences authentic and genuine. 2021 has been a year of great success in Years 5 and 6. Watching our eldest primary school students grow in themselves both within and outside of the classroom has been a true pleasure as they continue to evolve their learning, identity and development.
DAVID WILDSMITH
It has been a common practice to give a theme to the year and the Year 5/6s this year have taken on a real theme of leadership and challenge. Both cohorts have risen to the challenge magnificently, taking on responsibility in their striving to make their learning experiences authentic and genuine. The Year 6s identified leadership as a key pillar of their 2021 campaign and began the year with some workshops around this. Students learned about the different kinds of leadership and what leadership looks like with or without a badge. Students used this experience to reflect and translate this to our SCG setting – what does leadership look like in Year 6 at SCG? From this our students became agents of their own learning, using this to launch a number of amazing projects and experiences. From the Olympic themed activities run at recesses and lunchtimes for the entire primary school through to Active April, the
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Class of 2027 not only honed their leadership capabilities but engaged the community at the same time. The Year 5s wanted to challenge themselves as part of their experience as they begin to transition towards their Middle Years of school. Running in depth inquiry topics allowed them to challenge themselves every day, including their dive into the Olympic Games and creating their own version of the Olympics.
Watching our eldest primary school students grow in themselves both within and outside of the classroom has been a true pleasure as they continue to evolve their learning, identity and development. Throughout the remote learning experience the Class of 2028 rose to the challenge of new technologies and showed the connect with their learning and with each other. This made the experience a positive one. One of the unfortunate outcomes of the 2021 school year was the cancellation of a number of camps including both the Year 5 and 6
experiences; however, our resilient and remarkable group took this in their stride as they instead embarked on virtual camps.
With confidence I can say the future is bright for all the young stars.
As our Year 5 and 6 groups prepare for the next step, being the pinnacle of their primary years and the undertaking of their secondary journey respectively, these two resilient, bright and positive groups have made 2021 a wonderful experience. From tents in lounge rooms that were slept in for the entire duration of camp, through to making damper and other camp goodies, to trivia, stargazing and talent shows, the virtual camps will certainly be something we all will not forget for a long time. As our Year 5 and 6 groups prepare for the next step, being the pinnacle of their primary years and the undertaking of their secondary journey respectively, these two resilient, bright, and positive groups have made 2021 a wonderful experience. I am very proud of the entire group, from the staff who have adapted and moved flexibly into every learning space, to our families, and of course to the amazing students.
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HEAD OF YEAR 7 The Class of 2026 have embraced their first year of secondary schooling by challenging themselves in all aspects of their learning, whether studying new subjects and or surfing for the first time at camp. Year 7, 2021, has been filled with many moments of joy, perseverance and challenge. The school year began with students undertaking their first camp as members of our Secondary School. The mantra ‘Challenge by Choice’ was what came to mind with regard to the Year 7 camp experience.
JADE PANOZZO
For some students, challenge involved experiencing their first ever camp. For others, it was pushing through barriers to sleep in a tent or participating in the many wonderful activities on offer such as surfing, snorkelling or bush walking. A highlight of the camp, which I am sure many students will agree, was on the final night, during our SCG’s Got Talent performance with many noteworthy entrants. Throughout the year it was a privilege to watch students being exposed to many new subjects and state-of-the-art resources. Some that come to mind are use of the 3D printer and Laser Cutter; access to the brand-new STEM room; exploring topics of interest through the Personal Project unit; or experiencing our many wonderful specialist classes being Film and Media, Creative Industries, Design Technology and Visual Arts.
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Students relished the opportunity to participate in our Secondary Swimming and Cross Country carnivals, and enjoyed the friendly atmosphere having the opportunity to compete in novelty events and competitive races.
Our Year 7 students have displayed great resilience, care and positivity in undertaking their first year of Secondary School, especially under the unique circumstances, and should be proud of all they have achieved. A highlight of Term 3 were the many external opportunities students chose to participate in such as Trivia Nights, Escape Rooms, STRAVA competition and Dance Club! It was pleasing to see students’ genuine care and empathy for one another throughout the semester, with many students checking in on their peers and reaching out for support if required. Our Year 7 students, throughout the year, have displayed great resilience, care and positivity in undertaking their first year of Secondary School, especially under the unique circumstances, and should be proud of all they have achieved.
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HEAD OF YEARS 8 AND 9 2021 was a rich experience for the Class of 2024 and 2025, with students being at the forefront of creating new initiatives to foster deeper connections during the school year and shifts in learning. Watching the continued development of a group who have now had two of their Middle Years experiences impacted by events well outside of their control has been both challenging yet wonderful.
DAVID WILDSMITH
Whilst it would be easy to focus on the misses, like camps and other experiences, students instead chose to remain kind, compassionate, caring, connected, and driven to make the best of the situation. I admire their attitude in this regard and know that whilst unplanned, it will certainly be an important building block in their character as they continue to grow. 2021 saw a newly elected body of student leaders for all Years 5-9. A number of great initiatives from both our Middle School Captains and the Portfolio Captains saw students from both the primary and secondary years connect through a range of activities, assemblies and events. Harmony Day in Term 1 saw our leaders run a number of workshops about the importance of unity and embracing each other. This became vital, even more so this year, as we found ourselves physically distanced during lockdown.
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Our captains did a terrific job of keeping the Middle Years engaged through this time, running competitions and events that students were able to sign up to, such as Designing Dream Pets, Spring Photography Competitions and trivia. A COVID interrupted year meant plans needed to be changed and adjusted, yet it was pleasing to witness the adaptability, creativity and above all, kindness of our leadership group as they sought to care for the school community.
A number of great initiatives from both our Middle School Captains and the Portfolio Captains saw students from both the primary and secondary years connect through a range of activities, assemblies and events. The 2021 academic year was not immune to the challenges of remote learning. Students' and staffs' flexibility meant that goals were still set and many achieved. None of us will miss the ubiquitous Webex tone signalling people joining a call. Yet, looking back, it does signal an experience we all lived and combatted together. From online assessment to projects from the lounge room, watching students
achieve in their learning despite the difficulties was a true highlight.
pride, joy and hope.
Many of our students used lockdown to their advantage and made use of their time during on-site learning to compete in competitions including Maths and Science Competitions.
Whilst it would be easy to focus on the misses, like camps and other experiences, students instead chose to remain kind, compassionate, caring, connected, and driven to make the best of the situation. A number achieved wonderful results in the competitions, as well as across a spectrum of experiences, including writing and short story events and history challenges. The ‘leaning in’ of students to a variety of new selections on the academic landscape is something of which I am immensely proud of our Year 8s and 9s. It would be wrong to not acknowledge the work of every member of the Year 8 and 9 cohort community during 2021, from staff to families, and of course the students. 2021 was a year none of us will ever forget for a gamut of reasons, yet the overriding feeling at the end is one of 15
YEARS 10 AND 11 REPORT The Class of 2022 and 2023 are to be commended by their commitment and perseverance as we adapted to the ever-changing landscape of the 2021 academic year. Looking back on another amazing year at Southern Cross Grammar we can only be proud and impressed with the effort of our students, teachers and families in Years 10 and 11.
would enter a remote learning period that would see us work remotely for the remainder of the term and into Term 4.
What has become evident this year, is the importance and value of human The year started off with some fun where we connection and sharing time together witnessed some superb results at the 7-12 Swimming Carnival. This was followed up with with those who we care most about. JOSEPH HEDDITCH HEAD OF YEAR 10-11
JACQUI FILONENKO DEPUTY HEAD OF YEAR 10-11
some challenging conditions for the annual Cross Country Carnival that saw the mercury reaching into the thirties by early afternoon.
A lasting memory and true highlight from the Term 1 schedule was without doubt the senior student leaders’ involvement in the F-6 Swimming Carnival. They demonstrated their leadership and care for our Primary students at the Swimming Carnival, and went above and beyond to help facilitate and support a highly successful day. A worthy display of student leadership for us all to reflect on. We started Term 2 with school photos and an amazing day out to the Melbourne Show Grounds for the Careers Expo. This Expo was a wonderful opportunity for students to talk to and gather information and resources about VCE, universities, TAFEs and other training organisations, and courses available to them. Towards the end of term, we entered a short period of remote learning that would untimely lead to further community restrictions in the coming weeks. Term 3 started positively and again we were able to witness a large number of senior students support and lead the F-6 Athletics carnival with great success. Little did we know at the time, that a few hours later, we
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During this time, we saw a number of regular school items moved online such as guest speakers from the Hopeful Institute, R U Ok? Day which was led by the senior psychology students, Elephant Ed health sessions, celebratory pizza lunches, parent interviews and information evenings. What has become evident this year, is the importance and value of human connection and sharing time together with those who we care most about; school friends, brothers, sisters, parents, guardians, teachers, mentors and those in our community. We have noted a distinct appreciation within the Year 10 and 11 student body that the time we do get to share in one another's company is vitally important and meaningful when linked to our learning community. We look forward to sharing many more exciting events, quality teaching and learning experiences, and many peak events in the near future. Until then, stay well and stay safe over the extended break. We can't wait to welcome the Class of 2022 and 2023 into the Centauri Centre in 2022.
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HEAD OF YEAR 12 The Class of 2021 have set a record of their own in their creativity, agility, resilience and leadership this year. As Melbournians we enjoy, and are proud of, setting new records. One could even say we took our record setting a step further with our lockdowns being the longest in the world. Yet our Class of 2021 have set a record of their own in their creativity, agility, resilience and leadership this year. I am so proud of our Class of 2021. DR AMER IBRAHIM BASHA
As leaders of our school, the Class of 2021 raised the bar of commitment and leadership, showing resilience in navigating this year. Our Year 12 students began the year with their Year 12 Leadership Retreat in Sunnystones, Merrimu. During the Retreat, they planned for the year ahead, refined their study skills with our team of excellent staff including our VCE team and Pathways team, built relationships, and enjoyed the calm before the year ahead. The Retreat was also an opportunity to strengthen their relationships and deepened the sense of community amongst the cohort, which served them well in the months ahead. As leaders of our school, the Class of 2021 raised the bar of commitment and leadership.
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From their passion and pride during the Years 7-12 Swimming Carnival in Term 1 to the way they rallied around one another during our shifts to remote learning and back again to onsite learning, and completing their final year of secondary school. Their passion during the Swimming Carnival set a new SCG record with full house participation across their year level. Their leadership, as they stood side-by-side with staff to assist when needed, also filled me and other staff pride. The Class of 2021 cherished and celebrated the opportunities they were given, individually and as a student body, and with their teachers regardless of location: in our labs or the music class, out in the yard or behind the screen at home. A moment that stands out for me, and I’m sure for the Class of 2021, was when they and their teachers received their personalised jumpers just in time before lockdown. The gifting of jumpers is always a highlight for our graduating class and teachers, and I’m pleased we were able to enjoy the moment together in person. In Term 2, students enjoyed 2021 VCE and Careers Expo at the Melbourne
Showgrounds. During the event they explored different university courses and had productive and engaging discussions with higher education representatives. Combined with advice from our dedicated and skilled careers team, students later completed their VTAC applications with confidence about their first steps as SCG Graduates and Alumni.
Beyond special moments such as the Swimming Carnival, expos and donning of graduate jumpers, this year’s highlight has truly been the commitment and resilience the Class of 2021 have shown in navigating this year.
The Class of 2021 cherished and celebrated the opportunities they were given regardless of location: in our labs or the music class, out in the yard or behind the screen at home.
They have set the bar for future Year 12 cohorts to rise to and have impressed our community. While this year, and indeed the past two years, has carried difficulties, the Class of 2021 have emerged stronger and wiser than ever, and prepared for productive and high performing lives beyond SCG.
They adapted to the changing regulations and embraced every opportunity as it came with calm, strength, and composure.
Like all great stories, we were privileged to end the final chapter of this year’s hard work and uncertainties with two happy days of celebration. The Class of 2021 enjoyed a fun day at Archie Brothers in Docklands, and celebrated the end of Yr12 exams as a cohort of teachers and students. Words can’t describe the atmosphere of our Valedictory dinner. There were mixed emotions of happiness and pride as our Valedictorians took to the stage to receive their graduation certificate. It was truly a proud moment, for staff and families, to witness students graduate and launch into the next chapter of their lives as Alumni. 19
HEAD PREFECTS’ REPORT It has been a privilege to lead our school this year. We would like to thank you all for making 2021 a memorable year and for supporting our peers, the Class of 2021, through our time at SCG. 2021 was a challenging year to say the least, but as a collective cohort we understood what was needed from us. In a year that started with volleyball and orienteering on our retreat, it quickly became months of online study and before we knew it, we were sitting our exams. But despite having all our SACs on exam.net, and having our final lessons through a screen, the Class of 2021 have an abundance of memories to reflect on.
spending countless hours putting together the design, there was no greater honour than handing out jumpers to our peers in the VCE lounge following yet another announcement of a ‘surprise snap lockdown’—something we heard a lot of times throughout the year.
However, despite the numerous times we packed up our lockers and farewelled our friends, the events of 2021 were a true testament to 5 February 2021 was the day of our last the resilience, determination, and ever swimming carnival: the opportunity togetherness of not only our year we were all waiting for, to dress up in level, but the entirety of our school our creative costumes and celebrate our community. journey in what unknowingly turned out On a final note, we would like to thank to be our last opportunity to dress up. all our teachers, staff, and admin staff for As Prefects, we were also honoured to making this journey as memorable as represent our growing community by it has been. To our fellow peers, it has laying a wreath and meeting the Mayor, been a privilege journeying with you. Cr. Kathy Majdlik (2020/2021), at the We wish you the best for the future and Caroline Springs ANZAC dawn service, for a better 2022. as well as reading The Ode and hosting the SCG ANZAC Assembly. However, our greatest highlight would have been on 25 May: the day we received our Year 12 jumpers. After 20
The events of 2021 have been a true testament to the resilience, determination, and togetherness of not only our year level, but the entirety of our school community.
HANNAH MERRY
AARYAN RAM
JUNIOR SCHOOL CAPTAINS’ REPORT Our experiences as Junior School Captains helped us appreciate the importance of connectivity and care, as we worked as a team to make a difference to various groups and year levels in SCG! The Junior School Captains began the year with some great plans and ideas that would make a difference to the Junior School at SCG. We partook in a leadership training day at Geelong Grammar, where we met students from different schools who also have leadership roles. Part of the day was to enjoy some team building games, which we all enjoyed. In one of the challenges, the team had to pass Adam through a small hole which highlighted our teamwork skills. Lucky he is a ‘pocket rocket’, so we could shuffle him through quite easily! We also played ‘word hunt’ where we had to move around the campus and discover secret clues and words. When we arrived we may have been a little bit shy, but by the end of the day, we had learnt about ourselves as individuals and as a team. In March, the Junior School community raised funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital by simply donating a gold coin in trade for wearing pyjamas to school. This gave us all an opportunity to understand how it feels to spend time in
hospital when you are our age; a perfect example of empathy. Macey and Lina, our Social Justice Captains, led the way and we all supported by advertising the event, collecting coins on the day and importantly counting and adding donations to reach our total. Students could not wait for Pyjama Day! It was an incredibly fun day and for such a worthy cause. As a Captaincy Team, we also organised a lunchtime program to be hosted on wet-weather days or when students couldn’t go outside. Activities included a Twister Tournament, Puppet Show, Crafts Session, Paper Plane competition and LEGO Club. The program’s aim was for Junior School students to interact and connect with each other away from screens and enjoying new experiences. Our most favourite event was hosting assemblies as a team. This helped us improve our public speaking skills, as well as having a broader understanding about all the wonderful things that happen in an F-12 school. Assembly was always a rewarding
activity as we got to share news about programs, events and achievements and engage younger year levels in the lively SCG atmosphere. It was also a time of reflection and celebration throughout the year. Importantly, it offered a sense of togetherness that was key in staying connected during the many lockdowns of the year.
AYUSH BANERJEE
SHANNELI BANDARA
INDIANA VEITCH
ADAM KLASIC
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MIDDLE SCHOOL CAPTAINS’ REPORT Being Middle School Captain in 2021 has been a terrific experience for us all. 2021 has not been without its challenges but we would not change a thing. It has been an absolute pleasure leading the Middle Years students through fun, enjoyment, challenge, and triumph. The year commenced full of optimism, as we looked to build on a successful 2020 by keeping momentum rolling on a number of initiatives including student agency. We also welcomed a number of new students to the school and watched as construction began on The Centauri Project. Working as part of a portfolio team was a success and every one of our portfolios contributed to our Middle School. Our Sport Captains ran a number of successful sporting competitions including basketball, and the Sustainability Team got creative during one of our lockdowns and ran a beautiful Spring Photo Competition. The quality of entries blew us away. The Social Justice Team engaged with the community and worked with some food charities to raise awareness of hunger, and our Art Captains were as creative in their competitions as ever, including competitions such as the Design your Dream Pet and face mask decorating. We also really enjoyed 22
starting new initiatives such as the Chess Club and Harmony Day creative challenge, and communicating with our peers through Captain’s Corner posts on Schoolbox.
have too. We have really enjoyed getting to know each other well and being able to connect with all of Middle School, whether it was in person or over the Internet.
We faced a number of challenges in 2021, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic and remote learning. During remote learning, it was hard to stay in touch with friends, remain active, and stay on top of schoolwork, but all students did a great job trying their best and were patient through the pandemic. Essential to this was maintaining the connections with each other, and we were very happy to offer a number of activities for students throughout this period. This included trivia nights with teams of students, online escape room experiences which were both challenging and fun, as well as our other fun organised activities like assemblies and Kahoots! Overall, 2021 has been a sequel of 2020 regarding COVID, and also a very memorable one.
Enjoy your summer break! We are very grateful to have been your captains in 2021.
Although being thrown into online learning did present us with challenges, we have all managed to make great memories, and hope that other students
JOSIE WOOLLARD
MUHAMMAD AAYAN
SAIEESH ABBIREDDY
VERNICA KHANNA
SENIOR SCHOOL LEADERS’ REPORT As we farewell 2021 and look ahead to 2022, our school community has once again effectively adapted and learned from past experiences to emerge stronger than before. Throughout 2021, the Senior School has been faced with great change and at times, challenges. Coming out from what we thought was the end of the pandemic, we again found ourselves beginning our VCE studies in remote. However, that did not change our focus on the road ahead or shift our perspective on learning and achieving.
During the year, our teachers have diligently made efforts to organise excursions to allow us to learn optimally and enjoy our time regardless of the circumstances around us. Working as a teacher and having the responsibility to lead and teach groups of students with limitations such as a screen is difficult, but just as admirable.
A core value of our school environment is our academic excellence, and as students, we take pride and confidence in achieving those values and goals. During these laborious times we’re sure it has, at times, seemed almost impossible to continue our disciplined work ethics.
Luckily, as we started on-site learning again, we were able to reconnect and socialise in a COVID-Safe way. As we headed into assessment and exam time, we needed to make sure that we also took care of ourselves. This included making sure that we took regular short breaks, went for a walk, played some games or did something else to take our mind off things for a short time. All of this were important in managing our approach to learning this year.
Constantly being on and off site, and persisting while having such uncertainties of the future and proceeding to work towards improving our learning is an attainment that we should be proud of. Just as the students’ efforts are commendable, so is the effort and hard work put in by staff throughout this year to ensure that students continued learning to their maximum ability.
As we near the end of 2021, we’d like to thank the SCG community for the amount of effort you have shown in caring for students’ wellbeing and safety. This year has demonstrated to all that our ability to show kindness and understanding is unparalleled throughout tough times, whether it
be teachers offering support via their WebEx links, or us as students touching base with our friends to make sure they are okay. We look forward to new experiences and milestones next year, including developing more friendships and relationships that will last for years to come.
ALISHA MATYANA
SOPHIE SALOMON-BEST
REBECCA DIMOVSKA
KIKO URGEL
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2021 PREFECTS AND CAPTAINS
AARYAN RAM HEAD PREFECT
HANNAH MERRY HEAD PREFECT
STEFAN FILIPPONE DEPUTY PREFECT
ALVINA AHSAN DEPUTY PREFECT
VICE PREFECT
VICE PREFECT
ALISHA MATYANA SENIOR SCHOOL CAPTIAN
SOPHIE SALOMON-BEST SENIOR SCHOOL CAPTAIN
MUHAMMAD AAYAN MIDDLE SCHOOL CAPTAIN
JOSIE WOOLLARD MIDDLE SCHOOL CAPTAIN
VERNICA KHANNA MIDDLE SCHOOL CAPTAIN
SAIEESH ABBIREDDY MIDDLE SCHOOL CAPTAIN
SHANNELI BANDARA JUNIOR SCHOOL CAPTAIN
AYUSH BANERJEE JUNIOR SCHOOL CAPTAIN
ADAM KLASIC JUNIOR SCHOOL CAPTAIN
INDIANA VEITCH JUNIOR SCHOOL CAPTAIN
BRANDON DIMKOVSKI SPORT CAPTAIN
PALLAVI REDDY SPORT CAPTAIN
TESHANA MUNRO SPORT CAPTAIN
LINDON DEMIRI SPORT CAPTAIN
JEROME GEORGES SPORT CAPTAIN
AIDAN HUGHES SPORT CAPTAIN
KRISTOFFER LISKA SOCIAL JUSTICE CAPTAIN
MAIDA HASSAN SOCIAL JUSTICE CAPTAIN
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KIKO URGEL
REBECCA DIMOVSKA
2021 PREFECTS AND CAPTAINS
AHNALI RANASINGHE SOCIAL JUSTICE CAPTAIN
LUCAS THEUMA SOCIAL JUSTICE CAPTAIN
LINA A. SOCIAL JUSTICE CAPTAIN
MACEY RADBURN SOCIAL JUSTICE CAPTAIN
THOMAS PHAM ARTS CAPTAIN
EMILY WILLIAMS ARTS CAPTAIN
SHAIZA HASSAN ARTS CAPTAIN
TIANA MARNIK ARTS CAPTAIN
HAYLEY IM ARTS CAPTAIN
ORLANDO PERRE ARTS CAPTAIN
JACOB PECEVSKI SUSTAINABILITY CAPTAIN
ANGELIQUE KRALEVSKI SUSTAINABILITY CAPTAIN
HIYA VYAS SUSTAINABILITY CAPTAIN
LUCAS WOJTON SUSTAINABILITY CAPTAIN
ANNALISE DAULO SUSTAINABILITY CAPTAIN
KAYA KIBAR SUSTAINABILITY CAPTAIN
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LEARNING REPORTS With upgrades to our campus and learning spaces completed in time for the 2021 school year, our learning community began the year with expanded facilities and new state-of-the-art-spaces. We remained agile in our learning and the delivery of content as the year progressed, whether it be through Webex lessons, breakout rooms, or external lectures and seminars. The Learning Reports offer a snapshot of learning at SCG, both on-site, off-site, and in remote, and contain much celebrated stories of students’ academic successes and learning experiences.
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ENGLISH Amidst the challenges posed by the upheaval of traditional learning settings this past year, students at Southern Cross Grammar have thrived in English throughout 2021. Often times, English offered a creative and comforting counterpoint to the turbulent circumstances we have experienced. It was so encouraging to see students embrace the invitation to immerse themselves in worlds outside their own and express their unique ideas and values in both written and spoken word.
JONATHAN LAKE HEAD OF ENGLISH
Analysis of persuasive texts remains a central pillar of the English curriculum, and more than ever students have been encouraged to analyse and reflect on a range of persuasive texts including online news articles, advertising, and social media posts. During periods of remote learning, members of the English Learning Area worked to provide students with engaging lessons and bring the magic of unpacking a new text to the virtual classroom. Drawing on the vast array of experiences and ideas within the team, teachers aimed to innovate with delivery and encourage students as they worked tirelessly from home. Feedback was a key aspect of supporting students and refining their written work, and the staff were buoyed by students’ consistent effort and parents’ valuable support. Members of the English team also supported students through after school support sessions and lectures, both on-site and remotely. Students studied contemporary and traditional texts types: films, plays, poetry and traditional narratives from Australian and international authors provided the catalyst for classes to explore themes and issues apparent within both our immediate context and the world as a whole. Analysis of persuasive texts remains a central pillar of the English curriculum, and more than ever students have been encouraged to analyse and reflect on a range of persuasive texts including online news articles, advertising, and social media posts. English teachers also supported students in developing their own persuasive voice and
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students presented inspiring and considered oral presentations both online and in-person. Whilst some English events such as the debating competition were cancelled, author visits including from popular children’s author Melissa Keil provided students with valuable insight into how an author finds inspiration for their work. Melissa also spent time detailing the process of editing, publication, and even choosing cover art! Author visits are consistently well received by students and we look forward to more of these next year. Expert lecturers also provided online presentations to support our Year 12 students with their texts and preparation for the final examination. Creative Writing featured in the English program across the secondary school, from the ‘Writers Notebook’ in Year 7 through to the ‘Creative Response’ to the short stories of Australian author, Cate Kennedy, that the Year 12 cohort completed early in the year. Students drew on both existing texts and their own experiences to create wonderful writing of their own; a clear reflection of the creative abilities of the students in our community.
Often times English offered a creative and comforting counterpoint to the turbulent circumstances we have experienced. The English team is enthusiastically looking to grow the opportunity for students to engage with English through 2022 and beyond; the incredible new Library in the Centauri project will offer a hub for students across the school to foster their love of English and meet with both their peers and teachers. Students, teachers and parents have demonstrated admirable resilience throughout 2021 and the SCG community has embraced the opportunity to create, explore and analyse a diverse range of texts. We look forward to all that 2022 has to offer!
MATHEMATICS Following on from a year like no other, 2021 was challenging but rewarding in many ways and our students are to be commended for their work, effort and resilience in the study of Mathematics. The skills required to navigate the data we have been bombarded with in the last two years has meant there have been many opportunities to apply the Mathematics students learn in school to bigger, more worldly problems than the ones presented in a textbook.
SARAH COOPER HEAD OF MATHEMATICS
Regardless of year level, Mathematics has been the key to understanding the data we are constantly and relentlessly presented with throughout the pandemic. It’s no wonder the Mathematics curriculum in every year level, in every Mathematics pathway, covers and explores statistics and probability. With the use of Webex, interactive textbooks, Kahoot, Classpoint, Geogebra, and Edrolo, to name a few, students from all year levels have been engaged and challenged to adapt to new ways of learning, and demonstrating their learning. These new skills will serve them well in 2022 and beyond, enabling them to become masters of their own learning and develop self-directed learning skills; much needed skills in the future workforce.
100 students from Years 5–12 competing, our results are particularly pleasing with 17 Distinctions, 41 Credits, 30 Proficiency and 13 Passes. Alexander Fu (Year 7) was awarded our Best in School Award. Congratulations to everyone who participated in the competition.
The last two years has meant that students have been able to apply Mathematics to more worldly problems. These competitions are a great way of challenging our students in Mathematics and 2022 will hopefully bring more opportunities to engage in more challenges, and ways for students to showcase their skills. Looking ahead to a future where students’ understanding and application of Mathematics in their everyday lives needs to be as familiar to them all as breathing, we are wise to recall that “without Mathematics, there’s nothing you can do. Everything around you is Mathematics, everything around you is numbers” - Shakuntala Devi, Mathematician.
This year, unlike last year, nominated students completed the Australian Mathematics Competition with amazing results. With over 29
SCIENCE / STEM In 2021, Science/STEM learning area continued to explore and implement effective pedagogical methodologies, and introduced innovative thinking processes such as the Design Thinking Process. The Science/STEM team’s collective vision was to ensure that students were introduced to concepts related to global scientific events and genuine attempts were made to include content that reflected this vision. Our Science/STEM program provided students with various avenues to enhance their critical and analytical thinking process. RAJNESH RAM HEAD OF SCIENCE AND STEM
The inaugural Select Entry STEM program was designed to implement Project Based Learning tasks and required students to utilise their STEM knowledge for the benefit of others. Students assembled water filtration kits that were shipped to a refugee camp in Uganda to benefit several families’ living in difficult social settings. Students exhibited teamwork throughout the year and teachers ensured that students were provided opportunities to enhance their scientific knowledge beyond the formal curriculum. We encouraged students to participate in various external competitions including the Big Science Competition, the Science Olympiads, the International Chemistry Quiz, and the Science Talent Search.
country. STEM events, including the RoboCup Jr Competition and Aurecon Bridge Building Competition were affected by the lockdowns so students were provided opportunities through the Robotics Club to enhance their knowledge of the related concepts.
With upgrades planned for the 2021 summer break, we look forward to the new opportunities for learning in 2022. We celebrated National Science Week remotely and we provided our community with various opportunities to acknowledge the importance of science in our lives. The Science and STEM team continued to explore and utilise various pedagogical methods to ensure every student had optimum support to achieve their best. Despite the challenges of 2021, the VCE Science teachers devised innovative plans to ensure that the curriculum was effectively delivered, and that students were adequately prepared for their final examinations.
With upgrades planned for the 2021 summer break and new additions to our STEM It was pleasing to note that, while attaining curriculum to include subjects such as great results in these competitions, students Systems Engineering, we look forward to the were appreciative of the opportunity provided new opportunities for learning, and learning, to them to test their scientific knowledge in 2022. against other students in the state or the 30
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Artwork by Kiani Ulloa, Year 12 Studio Art 32
Artwork by Olivia Capitanio, Year 12 Studio Art
CREATIVE ARTS This year, the Creative Arts department wanted to shine a light on our youngest and our eldest students. Through such a difficult time, our Foundation students began the year at school and spent most of their time in remote learning. They demonstrated such resilience and most of all, creativity.
CYNTHIA DROSSINIS HEAD OF CREATIVE ARTS
Foundation students were able to experiment with different materials and techniques to make artworks in a range of art forms. They created unique drawings, learnt about famous artists Francisco Goya and Kimmy Cantrell, and learnt about mosaic techniques. Their achievements, documented in this year’s Yearbook, is a celebration of their learning as we look forward to watching them develop artistically, innovatively, and creatively into the artists and designers of our future Year 12 cohort. Year 12 Visual Communication Design students undertook an epic design process at school and remotely, generating and developing visual communication that were unique and thoughtful.
Year 12 Studio Art students began their research by focusing on critical, reflective, and creative thinking. They completed visual analyses of artworks and investigations of how artists have interpreted sources of inspiration and influences in their art making.
The Creative Arts Department is so proud of how our students have developed as artists in their own right this year. They also examined how artists develop their practice to create aesthetic qualities in their artworks. Using this knowledge, students informed their own studio practice and developed a folio of work. They remotely completed two final artworks, turning their bedroom or lounge into their own studio. Their submitted work was both exceptional and distinctive across a variety of art forms.
We cannot wait to see what 2022 will hold for Students considered aesthetics and function, our creative arts students, and the work they as well as social, cultural, environmental will create. and economic factors. Through the year that was, they managed to complete Final Presentations which are undoubtedly some of the best we have seen yet. The Creative Arts Department is so proud of how they have managed to continue their process all the way through this difficult year. 33
Artwork by Rebecca Dimovska Year 12 Visual Communication Design
Artwork by Zara Y. Foundation Art
Artwork by Alyssa Kishta Dziubinski Year 12 Studio Art
Artwork by Olivia Capitanio Year 12 Visual Communication Design Artwork by Joanne Vuu Year 12 Visual Communication Design
Artwork by Olivia Curmi Foundation Art 34
Artwork by Elysia Veljanovski Year 12 Studio Art
Artwork by Olivia Capitanio Year 12 Studio Art
Artwork by Alyssa Kishta Dziubinski Year 12 Visual Communication Design
Artwork by Andjela Micic Year 12 Studio Arts
Artwork by Joanne Vuu Year 12 Visual Communication Design
Artwork by Aveer Dang Foundation Art
Artwork by Athriya Jaiganesh Foundation Art
Artwork by Kayla Jones Year 12 Visual Communication Design
Artwork by Le Tran Year 12 Visual Communication Design
Artwork by Joshua MacPherson Year 12 Visual Communication Design
Evil and Benign (film) by Madeline Mistero Year 12 Studio Art 35
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LANGUAGES From offering peak experiences such as the Jowgakuen Lion Dance Troupe in Term 1 to interactive classes over Webex, the Languages team’s and students' agility and adaptability is to be commended. Language learning is all about communication. One of the great joys of learning a language is practising and speaking together.
ELIN LIN HEAD OF LANGUAGES
While we were all hoping for a year of connectivity in the classroom, where we could interact and share our language skills together face to face, we once again found ourselves being agile and adapting to learning through our screens. Our challenge, was to make Language learning as stimulating and rewarding as possible, as we navigated through the shifts in on-site learning and remote learning. From offering peak experiences such as the Jowgakuen Lion Dance Troupe in Term 1 to interactive classes over Webex, the Languages team’s agility and adaptability, as always, is to be commended.
Following on from our Year 12 students’ performance, our secondary students have also achieved fantastic progress.
Our challenge, was to make Language learning as stimulating and rewarding as possible, as we navigated the shifts in learning. Their dedication to their studies has been remarkable and they deserve high praise for their tireless efforts. Many students have produced excellent pieces of writing with perfectly written characters over the year, and had fluent and confident conversations both in person and over Webex in Mandarin Chinese.
At the same time, our primary students have been laying solid foundations in their learning This year we celebrated our first Year 12 VCE of Mandarin Chinese. This year has seen Chinese class and their graduating with flying our young learners learn main topics about colours. Their tremendous effort and calm, everyday life. They wrote thank you cards to while preparing for their oral and written their family members, learned how to order exams, as well as their resilience, kindness drinks and foods, described clothing and and mutual support for one another have housing items, and commented on the day’s been highly regarded not only by our Chinese weather all in Chinese. faculty, but also by students following the similar pathway. On behalf of our community, We are so proud of their dedication to the language. We look forward to seeing them we congratulate their achievements and grow and thrive as they journey through the wish them the best possible future. Thank you for being an inspiration and sharing your Mandarin Chinese program, and engage with Chinese culture. impactful experience with the community. 37
HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION
It was great to see plenty of laughter, smiling and socialising back in our Health and Physical Education classes in 2021. Students had certainly missed the opportunities to enjoy sport with their peers in 2020.
LIAM OGDEN HEAD OF HEALTH AND PE
We were fortunate to have some exciting additions to the Health and Physical Education (HPE) program this year.
in their Winter Interschool Sports where they represented the school in Tee-ball, Soccer and Netball.
Year 10 Health and Human Development, and Sports Science were two new electives that provided valuable insight into some of our subjects offered in VCE. The new Sports Science Centre has been an excellent learning space for our students to further develop their knowledge and skills, or just work up a sweat.
For our middle school classes, we focused on familiarising them with sports that they may have missed in 2020 and preparing for their own interschool sports. For the first time in Southern Cross Grammar history we were able to send out our very own cricket teams!
Our VET/VCE and Fitness classes enjoyed being able to apply their learning to practical lessons and we even had some of our Junior school students doing ‘Just Dance’ lessons in there! We also welcomed Mr Martin to the school to teach our Foundation–Year 8 students. It was great to be able to run some of our whole school events this year such as the Years 3–6 and Years 7–12 Swimming Carnivals. We were also able to run the Cross Country Carnival and our Foundation–Year 6 students showed plenty of excitement and enthusiasm during their Athletics Carnival. A key focus for our 2021 Foundation-Year 6 program was to continue improving fundamental motor skills, leadership, teamwork and social skills through various sports, games and skilled-based challenges. Our Years 5 and 6 students also participated
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Outdoor Education students had their Wilsons Promontory camp in Term 2. Students began their trip with a surf lesson before hiking and camping overnight at Oberon Bay. The group completed a challenging 20kms in total while carrying everything in their packs.
The new Sports Science Centre became an excellent learning space for our students to further develop their knowledge and skills. Back by popular demand, we reintroduced the STRAVA competition for our middle school classes throughout the remote learning period. A big congratulations to the Year 8 group who won the competition and to the 5/6 group who finished runner up. Well done to everyone who participated and contributed to their year level score.
IN A SESSION WITH METS PERFORMANCE, VCE PHYSICAL EDUCATION STUDENTS INVESTIGATED THE BIOMETRICS OF PEAK PERFORMANCE IN SPORT. THEY RECORDED AND DISCUSSED METRICS INCLUDING LACTIC ACID, RESPIRATION AND CARBON DIOXIDE LEVELS, AND HEART RATE AS PART OF THEIR STUDIES.
Sports Science Centre, May 2021 39
Year 5 Band program performance 40
PERFORMING ARTS: MUSIC 2021 featured a number of highlights in our music program including our introduction of the Select Entry Music Program, our celebrated Autumn Music Concert, and further expansions of our music offerings. Throughout 2021, students continued to maintain important connections with their teachers and the school community, showing flexibility and resilience to switch between face-to-face and online settings. Despite the interruptions to our program, there were a number of highlights including:
ROBERT GRAHAM HEAD OF MUSIC
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the introduction of the Select Entry Music Program for Year 7 and 8 students
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a dedicated Advanced Music stream for high performing students in Year 6
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the expansion of the school’s Band and Strings Programs
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the Autumn Music Concert, featuring outstanding performances from our ensembles and choirs
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an evening of musical performances at the PFC event: Supper Under the Stars.
Primary Years Students in the primary years participated in an engaging F-6 music curriculum where they developed their skills in performance and knowledge of music literacy. Through participation in the F-6 music program, students developed their fine motor skills, ensemble awareness, creativity, confidence and social skills. In addition to the regular music curriculum,
students participated in a range of peak learning experiences where they gained access to a high quality instrumental program. In Year 2, students learnt an orchestral string instrument as part of the Instrumental Strings program. Students attended weekly group sessions where they experienced the joys and benefits of learning a stringed instrument in a fun and engaging setting. Throughout the year, many new students signed up to instrumental lessons and had the opportunity to participate in our thriving string ensemble program.
Through participation in the F-6 music program, students developed their fine motor skills, ensemble awareness, creativity, confidence and social skills. In Year 5, students participated in the Band Program where they were offered instruction on Woodwind, Brass and Percussion instruments with a focus on the skills necessary for long-term student success. They developed fundamental skills including proper posture and playing position, and characteristic tone quality and training in music literacy. The entire Year 5 cohort had the opportunity to present their performances at the Autumn Music Concert, where they demonstrated spectacular progress over the 41
course of the semester. In Year 6, students enrolled in Private Music tuition participated in the Advanced Music program where they developed performance and musicianship skills both individually and through small ensemble performance. Year 6 students were also provided the option to participate in Music and Performing Arts classes where they worked collaboratively to rehearse and present musical and dramatic productions.
Secondary Years Years 7-9 In Term 4 2020, students had the opportunity to audition for the 2021 Year 7 and 8 Select Entry Music Program, which caters to a special group of highperforming and aspirational musicians. In the Program, students developed fine skills in performance, advanced music literacy knowledge and skills in music composition. The students in this year’s cohort presented an outstanding performance of the theme from ‘Big Fish and Begonia’, which featured Guzheng, a traditional Chinese instrument and lead vocals sung in Mandarin. All Year 7 Students participated in Creative Industries – Sound and Vision, where they learnt how to compose and arrange music using Digital Audio Workstations, operate professional theatre equipment such as DMX lighting controllers, and create multimedia installations using projection art.
Years 10-12 In 2021, our Years 10–12 students continued to participate in a range of personalised learning programs in the music and creative industries. 42
Our music team anticipates the future of our program with great excitement. There will be many performance opportunities to enjoy within our new Music and Performing Arts facilities, and Auditorium, in The Centauri Centre. In VET Music Industry, students developed skills and knowledge in the music industry, specialising in Performance or Sound Production. They prepared and presented performances as a soloist and as a member of an ensemble. They also created compositions and further developed their understanding of style and genre. Sound Production students recorded a music demo and mixed music in a studio environment. They learned how to assemble and operate audio equipment in a live environment. They also contributed to a range of school events such as performances, concerts and assemblies.
In addition to the regular music curriculum, students participated in a range of peak learning experiences where they gained access to a high quality instrumental program. Students in VCE Music Performance further developed and refined their skills in performance as well as their knowledge of music language. In addition to their involvement in school events, such as the Autumn Music Concert, students completed their final year of the course by preparing
a program of solo works. They later presented their program to examiners at the end of the year. Our music team anticipates the future of our program with great excitement. There will be many performance opportunities to enjoy within our new Music and Performing Arts facilities, and Auditorium, in The Centauri Centre. We look forward to welcoming families to celebrate the success of our students at future events such as the Musical Production of Matilda in 2022.
Annie Huang (Class of 2025) plays the Guzheng 43
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PERFORMING ARTS: DRAMA 2021 was a productive and engaging year in the Performing Arts department with students using the school’s new state-of-the-art equipment to diversify their performance and technical skills. This year was a productive and engaging year in the Performing Arts department.
TOLY SAWENKO DRAMA AND MEDIA TEACHER
Year 7 students devised their own short films, rehearsed and performed while learning to use the school’s new and state-of-the-art media equipment. Students learnt the skills behind recording sound, using the new boom microphone and sound recorder. These films showed SCG’s road to professionalism in, well edited and structured narratives.
The school made the exciting choice to move towards Theatre Studies, opening up the opportunities to learn about sound recording and design, lighting design, costume design, directing and acting among others. Year 8 students undertook the task to develop a self-devised musical. All students were placed into a production role relevant to this and worked to deliver tasks in line with these jobs during research and preproduction. Most students rehearsed and prepared to deliver their performance during the presentation night, held in the middle of the year. Some students devised their own duologues* and looked at the formation of a script and its importance to engage and reach a live audience, with a radio play rehearsed and prepared for over Term 4.
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The Year 9s worked on group ensemble task based on the concept of a ‘Rebel’ in an eclectic style involving the minimal use of props, costume and set. These performances were varied with one set in 1850s and another based on the contemporary political issues in America. Students also studied the world-acclaimed musical, Hamilton, and worked on either a solo or monologue for their final piece. The school made the exciting choice to move towards Theatre Studies, opening up the opportunities to learn about sound recording and design, lighting design, costume design, directing and acting among others. These opportunities are a significant step forward to diversifying our students’ skills in performance, as well as the technical skills in Arts and Media that Australia has a world class reputation for. The exciting announcement for Matilda as next year’s school musical has built anticipation to rehearse and perform in the Centauri Centre’s new auditorium in 2022. We are looking forward to the gradual, but significant growth of the Performing Arts, as we welcome the revolutionary Centre for our Arts community at SCG. *Duologues: a play or part of a play with speaking roles for only two actors.
Year 8 Theatre Production, June 2021 47
HUMANITIES It is a test to shift between on-site and online learning, but the SCG community rose to the challenge every time. I am especially proud of our Humanities teachers' and students' drive to learn and thrive. 2021 saw students and staff begin the year with enthusiasm to be back on-site. There was an eagerness to be with each other in person and to learn more about the domains of Geography, History, Politics, Accounting, Legal Studies and Business Management. Yes, all of these exciting subjects are a part of the Humanities Department at SCG! LYDIA BRKIC HEAD OF HUMANITIES
With new faces, such as Mr Lake, Dr. Rovetto and Ms Volarevic, joining the SCG Humanities teaching team of Mr Watson, Ms Potter, Mr Sawenko, Ms Horton, Ms Filonenko, Mr Wildsmith, Ms Gowdy and Ms Macreadie, our Humanities Department was further enriched. All teachers brought their own experience, worldliness and desire to see the teaching and learning of Humanities thrive, both within a remote setting and on-site classroom context. Our Humanities teachers must be commended for their drive, focus and dedication in introducing, developing and encouraging students to demonstrate their understanding of concepts, topics and ideas in new and refreshing ways. It is a test to shift between on-site and online learning, but the SCG community rose to the challenge every time. Despite the challenges along the way, students demonstrated their drive for trying new things by showcasing their talent in using a range of text types and multi-modal programs, such as Adobe Software for podcasts and films. Our students showed their commitment week in and week out as they actively and willingly, turned up to their classes and participated to the best of their ability.
Our Humanities teachers must be commended for their drive, focus and dedication in introducing, developing and encouraging students to demonstrate their understanding of concepts, topics and ideas in new and refreshing ways. The National History Challenge ran for the first time this year. An entry by Year 7 student, Alexander Fu, was commended as he wrote 48
an essay on the challenges posed by the Russian landscape during military conflicts involving Napoleon Bonaparte and during World War Two. Year 4 student, Aarin Dang, was also recognised in the National History Challenge, recieving a bronze medal. For his entry, Aarin researched and wrote an essay about Cathy Freeman, her significant achievements both as an Olympian and Indigenous woman, and her career post competing with the Cathy Freeman Foundation. We provide students with a range of subjects to choose from within the Humanities domain. Electives, such as Business Studies, begin in Middle School. One of the biggest challenges for all students at SCG is in the selection of subjects due to the varied and diverse range on offer. We introduced new subjects this year such as Global Studies at Year 8 and Global Politics at Year 12. Global Studies aimed to provide students with an awareness of the world around them by facilitating an exploration of social, political, cultural, historical and environmental issues. Whilst in Global Politics, students investigated key global challenges facing the international community in the 21st century. Many of the planned incursions and excursions were unable to be carried out this year. However, despite these setbacks, excitement and enthusiasm awaits for the learning experiences of Humanities in 2022. The Arts and Humanities define who we are as a people. That is their power—to remind us of what we each have to offer, and what we all have in common. To help us understand our history and imagine our future. To give us hope in the moments of struggle and to bring us together when nothing else will. — Michelle Obama: an American attorney and author who served as the first lady of the United States of America.
Mr Matt Dodd presents Alexander Fu his certificate 49
WELLBEING: CURRICULUM 2021 marked our first year of a whole school approach to wellbeing. Our partnerships with peak bodies including The Resilience Project and Elephant Ed have supported positive outcomes for our community. 2021 marked the first year of a whole school approach to wellbeing at Southern Cross Grammar. In a true reflection of the culture we share at SCG, our F-6 classroom teachers and the 7-12 wellbeing teachers passionately designed and delivered an evidence-based wellbeing curriculum specific to the age appropriate needs for each year level. In March, we introduced our partnership with The Resilience Project. LAUREN SMITH HEAD OF WELLBEING: CURRICULUM
We were fortunate to have Martin Heppell spend a week with students, staff and parents. Students enjoyed Martin’s presentations and were introduced to the concepts of Gratitude, Empathy/Kindness and Mindfulness, otherwise known as GEM. Staff engaged in professional development with Martin and were given effective classroom strategies to incorporate GEM into their classrooms and lives. We invited parents to spend an evening with Martin, where he shared practical tips to support and nurture their children to become resilient individuals. Another exciting opportunity our students were given as part of our Wellbeing curriculum, was the opportunity to participate in health and wellbeing workshops run by
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Elephant Ed. The Elephant Ed workshops addressed taboo health topics such as consent, respectful relationships, sexual health, and inclusiveness. Whilst lockdown and remote learning interrupted the scheduling and delivery of the workshops, the Elephant Ed team delivered sessions in an online format with success. We had excellent levels of student engagement in what are important areas of education as they navigate their current and future stages of their lives.
It is humbling to see the positive impacts the Wellbeing curriculum has already had in its first year of implementation. Both I and the Wellbeing teachers are excited to see the longitudinal impacts the curriculum will have as students continue their educational journey at Southern Cross Grammar. Year 12 student, Callum Weir, highlighted the importance the wellbeing curriculum has offered him in his final year of school. “Adolescence isn’t easy. Whether it be school,
friendships or family, navigating this time in our lives can seem impossible. It can be hard to be resilient if we aren’t given the strategies to do so. That’s why I admire SCG’s Wellbeing curriculum. It aims to prepare students to face the world as resilient individuals, and to be better equipped to deal with life’s challenges,” he said. “Personally, I felt the focus this year on prioritising mental health was brilliant, assuring me that although we may have felt alone at times during the pandemic, there is always someone to reach out to. Personally, the Wellbeing program has been more than a class or a lesson - it’s has been a time for me to grow as a person.”
“Adolescence isn’t easy. Whether it be school, friendships or family, navigating this time in our lives can seem impossible. It can be hard to be resilient if we aren’t given the strategies to do so. That’s why I admire SCG’s Wellbeing curriculum. It aims to prepare students to face the world as resilient individuals, and to be better equipped to deal with life’s challenges.” —Callum Weir, Year 12 Student
Not only have our oldest students benefited from the introduction of the wellbeing curriculum, but also our youngest students. Foundation teacher, Cindy Thlimenos reflected on the importance of the curriculum for her class, saying, “As a teacher, I have always believed that promoting wellbeing is integral for positive academic outcomes.
Year 8 student, Sienna Kostadinovic, offered some insight into the impact the Wellbeing curriculum has had on her. “During lockdown and the long periods of remote learning, as students we have had to focus on our wellbeing and mental health more than ever before. The school’s intent on putting our emotional wellbeing first has been especially reassuring.
“In Foundation we have used a variety of techniques and strategies throughout the year to check in on our wellbeing regularly. We have used ‘feeling sticks’ (emojis on paddle pop sticks) where children held these up to demonstrate how they are feeling throughout the day.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed the wellbeing lessons, particularly the ones where we followed along with our Resilience Project journals. The emotionally engaging topics and the stories shared by my own classmates have been eye opening and I have appreciated how it has made the topic of mental health more accessible to students, and started the conversations which are usually disregarded.
“We had class circle time to discuss and work through different feelings that come with different situations. We have focused on gratitude and I am really proud of the way that the students have written cards and drawn pictures to say ‘thank you’ to people who have impacted them. Knowing just how important music is, we have danced and sang at the end of each day. “We have focused on resilience and I am proud of the way the students have handled starting their Foundation Year on day one, to then learning from home, coming back again and then returning home for the majority of Term 3! I have learned a lot about what being resilient means from these children. Truly inspiring!”
“The Resilience Project has taught me how to utilise different mental health strategies in my day-to-day life, while also putting a spotlight on the different struggles that the youth of today face, comforting us in the knowledge that we are not alone.” It is humbling to see the positive impacts the Wellbeing curriculum has already had in its first year of implementation. Both I and the Wellbeing teachers are excited to see the longitudinal impacts the curriculum will have as students continue their educational journey at Southern Cross Grammar. 51
VCE REPORT Our VCE students’ and teachers’ agility throughout the multiple lockdowns has been truly admirable.
To risk starting this report by stating the obvious, what a tumultuous 12 months it has been for our VCE students! Our students’ and teachers’ agility throughout the multiple lockdowns has been truly admirable. While the VCE is a well-established program and has had many years of tried-and-true success in the past, 2021 brought with it new challenges to the program. MEGAN UNTHANK HEAD OF VCE
The differences between schools within metropolitan Melbourne, in addition to the differences we faced with our regional school counterparts, rocked the foundation principle the VCE was founded on: fairness.
their teachers guide them through it, with generosity of spirit and wisdom, is par for the course at SCG.
I was reminded of how important the relationship is between teacher and student throughout the final years of school when I would pass classrooms and offices, and see consultations and small group tutoring taking place when on-site learning was possible. No matter our students’ results, we couldn’t be more impressed with the rigour and commitment they exhibited over the last year.
Our students’ and teachers’ agility throughout the multiple lockdowns has We especially wish our Class of 2021 the best been truly admirable. in their future endeavours, and we urge you The development of the Consideration of Educational Disadvantage worked to rebalance the ranking system we abide by in our education sector by working into the formula for study scores the highest possible result a student could have achieved if they completed their VCE in ‘precedented times’. The willingness and trust the school community had in teachers throughout this time is something I will forever remember and be grateful for. Where I’m most proud however, is in our students’ ability to rise above the noise of the political landscape of the past 12 months and simply ‘get on with it’. Remote learning certainly proved challenging for some, especially in our practical subjects, but teachers were flexible with their teaching methods to ensure each student still had a personalised opportunity to access the content. Engagement was through the roof when students had periods of on-site learning. I was reminded of how important the relationship is between teacher and student throughout the final years of school when I would pass classrooms and offices, and see consultations and small group tutoring taking place when on-site learning was possible. VCE is the first real stress many students will experience in their life and to have 52
to remember that there will always be a place for you in the familiar grounds of Southern Cross Grammar.
2021 VCE REPORT SUMMARY 48 VCE SUBJECTS INTRODUCED IN 2021
11
GLOBAL POLITICS UNIT 3/4
CHINESE SECOND LANGUAGE UNIT 3/4
students studied VCE subjects in 2021
2021
123
2017
2016
4 VCE SUBJECTS GROWTH SINCE 2016
UNIT 1/2 VCE SUBJECTS ●
Accounting
9
●
Australian and Global Politics
9
●
Biology
30
●
Business Management
22
●
Chemistry
26
●
English
59
●
General Maths
40
●
Health and Human Development
16
●
History: Global Empires
10
●
Computing
10
●
Literature
10
●
Chinese Second Language
2
●
Legal Studies
20
●
Music Performance
4
●
Mathematical Methods
29
●
Physical Education
7
●
Physics
11
●
Psychology
30
●
Studio Arts
4
●
Specialist Mathematics
9
●
Visual Communication Design
9
●
VET Music Industry (Performance)
1
●
VET Music Industry (Sound Production)
1
●
VET Sport and Recreation
11
●
Accounting
15
●
Australian and Global Politics
9
●
Biology
10
●
Business Management
17
●
Chemistry
22
●
English
56
●
Further Mathematics
35
●
Global Politics
6
●
Health and Human Development
21
●
History: Revolutions
6
●
Literature
5
●
Chinese Second Language
4
●
Legal Studies
12
●
Music Performance
1
●
Mathematical Methods
23
●
Physical Education
8
●
Physics
13
●
Psychology
21
●
Studio Arts
8
●
Specialist Mathematics
6
●
Visual Communication Design
9
●
VET Music Industry (Performance)
1
●
VET Music Industry (Sound Production)
1
●
VET Sport and Recreation
6
UNIT 3/4 VCE SUBJECTS
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O� 54
OUR COMMUNITY In a year of transitions between on-site learning and remote learning, our community once again rallied together to support and uplift one another. We were privileged to celebrate memorable moments together on-site such as the Parents and Friends Committee's Supper Under the Stars Event, our Autumn Music Concert, Swimming Carnivals and much more. In remote we remained connected, adapting events and significant dates in our calendar, and created innovative ways to celebrate members in our community.
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100 Days of Foundation celebration, July 2021 56
100 DAYS OF FOUNDATION On 30 July 2021 the Class of 2033, celebrated their 100 Days of learning milestone. The event not only acknowledged their progress over the year but celebrated the success to come. This year's celebrations were especially poignant for Foundation teachers, Cindy Thlimenos and Suzan Kibar as they celebrated the event with their students in person. "We were fortunate that this year we were able to get together and celebrate this special event at school. The children were so proud to show off their costumes. They loved the encouragement of the junior school audience during the assembly as well as their parade through the Middle and Senior buildings," Cindy said. While parents were unable to be on-site to celebrate with the Class of 2033 in person, they watched in support and shared in the joy from home as we live streamed the event. "Being able to mark the event in person with students was very special, and sharing the moment with parents watching from home was also a memorable moment," Suzan said. "Parents were also pleasantly surprised and joyful at the special 100 Days of Foundation video shared at the end of the day's celebrations." To celebrate their 100 Days of Learning the Class of 2033 and their teachers dressed up as 100-year-olds, donning attires and accessories including wigs, pearl necklaces, suspenders, handbags,
walking sticks to celebrate in style. During their assembly they received 100 Days of Foundation certificates, shared some memories from their 100 days of schooling, and thanked their parents for their support. Afterwards they toured the campus where they were cheered on by older students and staff, partook in activities including craft making, connected with their Year 5 buddies, and enjoyed a disco later in the afternoon. 2021 has been a year of many firsts for the Class of 2033: settling into new school and learning routines, learning the foundations of literacy and numeracy, and embarking on their first excursion, to name a few.
"Being able to mark the event in person with students was very special, and sharing the moment with parents watching from home was also a memorable moment." "I taught Foundation last year and we were unable to go to excursions because of the year that it was," Cindy said. "So, this year, we got to jump on a bus and travel outside SCG which was wonderful for students. Some students
haven't been on a bus before, so it was just great to see them just trying things for the first time.
"[The Class of 2033] have grown in such amazing ways, and the massive growth they've undergone, not just in the six months, but within the full year in school has been huge." "Other highlights have been our incursions, especially our science incursion. Seeing students getting hands-on with different areas of our curriculum, learning something new, and having lots of fun has also been a highlight. They've grown in such amazing ways, and the massive growth they've undergone, not just in the six months, but within the full year in school has been huge." The Class of 2033's families have also had a significant role in making their first year a success, and joined students for their Foundation Breakfast and Parent Morning in Term 2. "We've had lots and lots of highlights this year," Cindy said. "One of them especially was the Foundation Parent Breakfast. We had families coming in 57
and joining us, and observing their children in their learning environments. The students also got to share what they've been working on, and it was a proud moment to see the students sharing what they've been learning with their families." As the Class of 2033 wave goodbye to their first year of schooling, Cindy and Suzan have high hopes for them as they enter a new chapter of their schooling journey. "You see the most and best progress within children at the Foundation stage of learning. The best part of being a Foundation teacher, is watching your tiniest children grow academically, socially and emotionally," Suzan said. "My hope for the students as they journey through their schooling years and in life, more broadly, is that they become the best version of themselves and achieve their goals with passion and 100% determination." "My hope for my Foundation students this year, like my hope for the students I taught last year is to continue to be kind people. To continue to show gratitude, be good humans that grow into big humans, enjoy their love for learning, and to be kind to one another," Cindy said. "I'm so proud of how far students have come in their 100 days of learning, and in the school year overall, and I'm excited to follow their journey as they enter Year 1 and beyond."
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"You see the most and best progress within children at the Foundation stage of learning. The best part of being a Foundation teacher, is watching your tiniest children grow academically, socially and emotionally."
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"[The Class of 2033] have grown in such amazing ways, and the massive growth they've undergone, not just in six months, but within the full year in school has been huge."
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WATCH HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE CLASS OF 2033’S 100 DAYS OF FOUNDATION
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PARENTS AND FRIENDS COMMITTEE REPORT In a year full of new possibilities, the PFC brought cheer and strengthened our connection as a community through a number of events, fundraisers and community engagement. Looking ahead to a brand-new year full of possibilities and hopeful that COVID restrictions were far behind us, the Parents and Friends Committee (PFC) got busy planning a range of events, fundraisers and community engagement.
SARAH PAYTON PFC PRESIDENT
As the school broke ground on the Centauri Project, the PFC reimagined and rebranded what it would look like going forward. Increasing our engagement with the wider school community, the PFC joined Schoolbox to enable direct communication to parents and students on upcoming events, uniform shop sales and general information related to the PFC.
Supper under the Stars Our first event for the year was an inspirational idea and driven by one of our newest PFC members, with help from our generous volunteers. Partnering with the Astronomical Society of Victoria (ASV), we sold tickets to families to attend the event and book a 10-minute guided view through a telescope with ASV volunteers. Throughout the evening, families had the opportunity to purchase home-made sweet and savoury grazing boxes, partake in 62
activities such as clay sculpting, listen to student music ensembles and choirs, try their luck in the raffle draw or relax in the company of friends and family. We didn’t know it at the time, however, that being able to spend an evening on-site, in each other’s company would be one of a few opportunities this year–and something we hope you valued as much as we did.
Mother’s Day Stall With restrictions eased, the PFC were once again able to return on-site to bring the Mother’s Day stall to the community. Parent volunteers set up and sold nearly every apron, necklace and mug on offer as students hunted for that special gift for Mum, Nanna or special family member. We sold raffle tickets, which were in high demand, with Macey Radburn (and her Mum) the lucky recipient of a magnificent hamper, courtesy of Blacky’s Logistics and the PFC. For parent volunteers, being able to bring the Stall directly to the students was an absolute treat and an opportunity none of us took for granted.
Father’s Day Stall The commencement of another lockdown in Melbourne and the resumption of remote learning, meant an on-site stall was not possible but Dads, Grandpas and special loved ones did not miss out. The online Stall was back, bringing some joy and fun to Term 3. Just like Santa, the PFC prepared and packed orders of games, tool sets, socks and keyrings. Once again, as they did in 2020, SCG generously covered the delivery costs to ensure families received their gifts in time. As an added bonus, the PFC put together a lucky prize draw for every order placed. Congratulations and thank you to Phuong Pham for supporting the Father’s Day stall.
New to You Uniform Shop A new year saw a new location for the uniform shop and a space to call our own, located next to the basketball courts, in the Lancefield Drive carpark. While, due to restrictions, we had limited opportunities to operate in person, our team’s facilitation of New To You Facebook Page was beneficial in assisting families with their secondhand uniform purchases. Ahead of the Athletics carnival, the PFC ran a house colour t-shirt drive via
Schoolbox, with an amazing response. It was so popular that we are ordering more stock for next year. Whilst we weren’t able to be there, photos and videos of students showing their house colours and spirit was a great boost before remote learning!
memorable as possible. Whilst the event was paused due to lockdowns and restrictions the PFC have pledged to pay for a balloon arch or provision of a photo booth. We can’t wait to see the Committee’s adapted plans come to fruition in the future.
PFC Sponsorship
It’s to believe we are so close to finishing the year, however, the PFC have been getting geared up for 2022 and beyond.
HOUSE COLOUR T-SHIRTS – As part of our ongoing commitment and giving back to the school community, the PFC once again allocated House Colour t-shirts to our new Foundation students in 2021. Anyone who has outgrown their t-shirt, can purchase them through the New to You Uniform Shop.
The PFC Leadership Team and members thank you all sincerely for supporting everything we were able to execute in 2021. CENTAURI DONATION – Thanks to the enormous effort of volunteers and attendees to a range of events and fundraisers over the last few years, the PFC were proud to donate a total of $27,000 to the Centauri Project. YEAR 11/12 FORMAL ASSISTANCE – During the year, the PFC were approached by the Year 11/12 Formal Student Committee to provide some assistance in making the evening as
The current PFC Leadership Team will continue into 2022 as part of their elected term, and are working with PFC members on ideas for next year. We are looking into on-site events and, if needed, pivoting to a virtual environment. At the core of everything, PFC are endeavouring to organise and hold as many events, fundraisers and community engagement as possible. The PFC Leadership Team and members thank you all sincerely for supporting everything we were able to execute in 2021. We hope to see you at the next event in 2022. Keep an eye on Schoolbox for updates. Beginning 2021, the newly established PFC (Parents and Friends Committee) Leadership Team comprised Sarah Payton (President), Taryn Paddle (Vice President), Lisa Willson (Treasurer) and Diana Perre (Secretary). 63
The Parents and Friends Committee’s Supper under the Stars event was a terrific example of a community coming together to celebrate connection and learning.
PFC's Supper Under the Stars event, May 2021 64
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LEARNING RESOURCE CENTRE Scholastic Book Fair, the CBCA's Book Week Bonanza, Author Talks and story time with our younger students: 2021 was another year of connecting through reading and books, both online and at school. The Scholastic Book Fair was our first event in the Library calendar. Anticipation is always high and we were fortunate to have a strong start to the Book Fair. The first few days were busy with many students and parents browsing and picking great books and stationery.
DINA LIRA LRC TECHNICIAN
Unfortunately, during the week we had to close the Fair to parents. Students adapted quickly, showing independence and responsibility, as they took the purchasing of books on their own very seriously. It was a real-life learning moment. The CBCA Book Week was another event that had a plan A, B and then C due to our extended lockdown. We delayed the week in the hope that we would return to school and celebrate together. While it was not to be this year, we enjoyed a very festive Book Week Bonanza Assembly where students and staff in the Junior School dressed up and shared one of their favourite books with everyone. It was a new and novel way for us all to celebrate together. During CBCA Book Week, we had two authors visit our students virtually. Australian children’s author, Jane Godwin, spoke to our Year 4, 5 and 6 students about her writing process and the way she collects ideas. Jane has written much celebrated books including The Family Tree (1998), When Rain Turns to Snow (2020) and Sing Me the Summer (2020). Melissa Kiel, author of novels
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including Life in Outer Space (2013) and The Incredible Adventures of Cinnamon Girl (2014) spoke to our Year 7 and 8 students about her journey to becoming a published author. Both Jane and Melissa were warm and insightful. Our students were engaged and asked interesting questions. One of the big take-aways from Jane’s talk was to be confident and to use our authentic voice when we write stories. No one sees the world the way we do or has the same experiences we do. Melissa told students to “just start” if they have an idea for a story, and letting the plot and characters develop the more they think about the story. Our budding SCG authors were inspired after the talks, and left with lots of practical tips on how to improve their writing. A highlight of remote learning for me has been attending classes and sharing stories with some of our youngest students in the Junior School. Reading stories and having literary discussions has been a joy during Term 3. Storytime shared with our students, parents, and sometimes pets through WebEx has been the epitome of the merging of school and home, and the connections and joys we have all experienced together. I wish everyone the best for 2022. I’m looking forward to our new and exquisite second library in the Centauri Centre, which will serve us well into the future.
Children’s Book Council of Australia’s (CBCA) Book Week Bonanza, July 2021
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ON THURSDAY 5 AUGUST, OUR FOUNDATION-YEAR 6 STUDENTS LACED UP THEIR SPORTS SHOES, DONNED THEIR HOUSE COLOURS AND COMPETED IN EVENTS AT THE ATHLETICS CARNIVAL. CONGRATULATIONS TO DELTA HOUSE FOR WINNING THE CARNIVAL WITH 282 POINTS.
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE FOUNDATION–YEAR 6 ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
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F-6 Athletics Carnival, August 2021 69
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THOUGHTFUL THURSDAY We were delighted to open our homes (virtually) to share learning joys with our Junior School students during our Thoughtful Thursday event. With our prioritisation of connection and care. As we had done before, we opened up our homes to share in learning beyond the classroom, to create some happiness.
ROMINA PIMPINI HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL
Thoughtful Thursday was a day’s program where we prioritised connection and care for ourselves and one another. The day involved an array of workshops and activities that our students could enjoy, but importantly, we wanted to give parents and guardians the chance to get involved as well –we were aware of just how much effort they put in to help even our littlest learner in the Junior School. We offered forty-two different sessions to students and their families including craftbased activities, mindfulness tasks, cooking and fun in the kitchen, as well as drawing and physical activity to connect our mind and body. Staff across the Junior School shared their passions and experience, and the variety of wellbeing strategies they use to stay healthy and care for themselves and their families. Mr Tan shared his practice of Tai Chi while Mrs Coverdale mindfully helped us meditate. Ms Murrihy shared her magic skills and Ms Spiteri carefully decorated sweet items in the kitchen, as Mrs Saunders and Ms Zahariadis made smoothies and delicious fruit kebabs. Mr Hearn constructed bridges using pasta and Mrs Hedditch, with Ryan Mercieca’s help, up-skilled our cartoon drawing enthusiasts,
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and Ms Wright helped us learn the finesse and precision of Origami. In pairs, Ms Bickford and Ms Lira reminded us of how we can read or colour to stay calm, and Ms Karrina and Mrs Kibar led the way with a popular craft-a-noon focused on card making with a particularly yummy difference! Hearts pumped and choreography was king in Ms Kundevski’s dance sessions. Ms Sathiaseelan’s move and stretch had everyone flexibly thinking. On the artistic front, Mrs Thlimenos shared her painting passion through Watercolour Wonders, Ms Caldwell got all sparkly with Glitter Jars, while gratitude was shared in a colourful and creative workshop with Ms Pimpini.
Thoughtful Thursday involved an array of workshops and activities that our students could enjoy, but importantly, we wanted to give parents and guardians the chance to get involved as well. Thoughtful Thursday was a huge success. Students enjoyed working with different teachers, learning new skills and trying new things. It was “the best day ever” for so many students, as reported by their parents, with feedback being shared via Schoolbox, as well as through the emails and messages staff received.
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IT WAS A BLAST TO THE PAST FOR OUR YEAR 1 STUDENTS, THE CLASS OF 2032, AS THEY EXPLORED WERRIBEE PARK MANSION. WITH THE EASING OF RESTRICTIONS IN RECENT WEEKS ACROSS THE STATE, WE ARE DELIGHTED TO ONCE AGAIN BE ABLE TO GIVE STUDENTS OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPLORE THE WORLD BEYOND OUR CAMPUS.
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EXCURSION
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AS WE PREPARED TO END THE YEAR WE CELEBRATED THE CLASS OF 2027'S PRIMARY YEARS GRADUATION WITH A FUN DAY AT LUNA PARK FOLLOWED BY A GRADUATION CEREMONY IN THE EVENING, WITH THEIR FAMILIES WATCHING FROM HOME. IT HAS BEEN A JOY TO WATCH THEM GROW THIS YEAR, AND THROUGHOUT THEIR TIME AT SCG, AND LOOK FORWARD TO ALL THEY’LL ACCOMPLISH AS SECONDARY STUDENTS IN 2022 AND BEYOND.
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS FROM the CLASS OF 2027'S GRADUATION
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TO CELEBRATE THE LAST WEEKS OF TERM, OUR CLASS OF 2032 WELCOMED WEEK 9 IN STYLE WITH A SPLASHTASTIC WATER ACTIVITY. WHAT A WAY TO USHER IN THE START OF SUMMER!
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE INCURSION
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O� 82
SCG 10 YEARS STRONG As we celebrate our tenth year, we look back with gratitude for the countless people, including the Inge family, who laid the foundations for our school to be the successful and highly regarded school we are privileged to be part of. 10 years after its re-establishment, SCG remains stronger and more ambitious than ever. Pictured, the tree Mr Zig Inge planted during the School’s official opening in 2011. 10 years on, the tree is a powerful symbol of the school’s partnership and strong ties with the Inge family.
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SOUTHERN CROSS GRAMMAR 2011–PRESENT
2011
2012
2013
Southern Cross Grammar officially opened on the first day of Term 3, Monday 18 July 2011 with 46 students and 7 staff members to much celebration.
To mark SCG’s first year celebrations, the then Governor of Victoria, Hon Alex Chernov AC QC, visited the school. During our school Assembly—which was attended by the Inge family, SCG Board, Representatives of Independent Schools of Victoria (ISV) and SCG families—Hon Chernov unveiled two gold plaques to commemorate SCG’s first anniversary.
To bring our community together, we held our first SCG Movie night and watched 'The Muppets'. The night was a success thanks to our school volunteers and families.
SOUTHERN CROSS GRAMMAR OPENS
In attendance was Mr Zig Inge and the Zig Inge Group, Mr Michael Daly and the founding Board of Directors, and the Founding Principal Mr Andrew Ponsford.
THE GOVERNOR OF VICTORIA VISITS SCG
The plaques can be found on campus in the Middle School and VCE Centre.
2017
OUR SENIOR STUDENTS REACH A MILESTONE Southern Cross Grammar reached another milestone in 2017 with the launch of our VCE Program. Our Senior students celebrated their study achievements in style for our first Senior Formal on 17 November. It was a memorable night for students, their families and staff as they reflected on both the SCG journey to date and celebrated the success of our school's accomplishment as The Class of 2018 looked ahead to being SCG's first Year 12 students, graduates and Alumni.
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FOSTERING COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Proceeds raised during the evening went towards installing additional outdoor seating for students; purchasing a new piano for our music program; and building the long jump, triple jump, and shot put area on our campus.
2018
THE VCE CENTRE OPENS AND OUR FIRST YEAR 12 STUDENTS GRADUATE 2018 was a historic moment for SCG and our senior students with the official opening of the VCE Centre. In November, we celebrated and farewelled our first cohort of Year 12 students, the Class of 2018. With many in the cohort being Founding students, it was a proud moment for our school, celebrating and farewelling the Class of 2018.
2014
2015
2014 saw our staff, students and volunteers come together to embark on SCG’s first school production: Disney’s Aladdin JR. on 30 October.
The Junior School Building opened on the first day of Term 1, 2015.
TAKING TO THE STAGE FOR THE FIRST TIME
THE JUNIOR SCHOOL BUILDING OPENS
Staff and students wrote personalised notes and attached them to The production was a great success and biodegradable blue and purple balloons display of our students’ talents. before releasing them into the sky. The balloons eventually found their way across the western suburbs, where we received happy responses from strangers in the weeks and months afterwards.
2019
THE STRING ENSEMBLE WINS THE ROYAL SOUTH STREET EISTEDDFOD Our music students' high performance shone bright in the 2019 Annual Royal South Street Society Eisteddfod, where our String Ensemble performers secured first place. Under the guidance of our skilled staff, students gave a magnificent performance at the Eisteddfod in Ballarat, with great focus and professionalism.
2016
CELEBRATING OUR FIFTH YEAR
To celebrate SCG’s fifth year, our community gathered together and founding families planted three Ornamental Pear trees in the Junior School Courtyard. Every student planted a plant in the Junior School garden, and like the Ornamental Pear trees, the plants have continued to flourish on our campus and provide shade to our community. The PFA also gifted the school $32,000 for a new playground in the Junior School.
2020 A NEW CHAPTER BEGINS
We welcomed Mr Matthew Dodd to lead our school community and farewelled our Founding Principal, Mr Andrew Ponsford, as he began his retirement. With celebrations and farewells happening both on-site and off-site, Mr Ponsford’s farewell and Mr Dodd's Principalship marked the beginning of a new chapter for SCG.
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2021
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THE CENTAURI PROJECT BREAKS GROUND Over ten years in planning, the Centauri Project represents a new era of learning at SCG. With works beginning onsite in 2020, we broke ground in January 2021. As the building continues to take shape and stands proud on our campus in our tenth year, we look forward to launching it in 2022 and achieving great feats in the building over the years to come.
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A DECADE IN REVIEW 2011–2021
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Southern Cross Grammar was established on the first day of Term 3, 2011: Monday 18 July 2011.
We opened with 46 students. In 2021 we had over 750 students at Southern Cross Grammar.
INGE CAMPUS
Our campus is named the Inge Campus, after the custodians of our school: the Inge family.
150 students have graduated Southern Cross Grammar. Our first cohort of Year 12 students graduated as the Class of 2018.
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3 of our current members of staff worked here when the school opened in 2011. Some were here when the school was previously ICA.
The SCG Bell is a significant part of our school’s history. It was rung to officially open the school and has been rung during milestone events such as the opening of the Junior School in 2015. More recently, the Bell was rung at the commencement of Mr Dodd’s Principalship and the Class of 2020’s Final Assembly.
Southern Cross Grammar opened with one building in 2011: the Middle School Building. In ten years, our campus has grown from one building to four, with the Centauri Project being launched in 2022.
Mr Zig Inge began the SCG tradition of planting trees on our campus. As we have celebrated milestones our community too have planted trees (and plants) on our campus. The trees and plants have grown and flourished in tandem with our school. 89
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Mr Zig Inge plants the Inge tree on campus. The tree has grown and blossomed in tandem with our school over the years. SCG's Official Opening, Monday 18 July 2011. 91
SCG 10 YEARS STRONG: AN INTERVIEW WITH MR PETER INGE Given that the many festivities and occasions planed to recognise SCG's significant ten-year milestone were not able to occur due to the pandemic, we were determined to capture what is such a proud and successful history of our school. I was privileged to speak with Mr Peter Inge, son of Mr Zig Inge, to capture his memories, thoughts and feelings about the school as it has developed over the ten years.
When reflecting on Southern Cross Grammar's opening on Monday 18 July 2011, Peter Inge remembers the tangible joy and relief as students, staff and families were reunited after what had been months of campaigning and dedication to reinstate the school after its closure, as ICA, in November 2010.
TOSAN FOSS HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING
"It was really emotional. It's hard to put into words," Mr Inge said when recalling the school's official opening. "When I think of the school's opening, I remember the bell and Andrew Ponsford ringing the bell. There wasn't a dry eye in the house because the fight was so long and so hard for the school community […] it was just an amazing feeling of relief." The Inge family's significant contribution in relaunching the school under the current banner of Southern Cross Grammar is represented graciously and humbly on our campus. Our school site at Caroline Springs is referred to as the Inge Campus in recognition of the family's support. For founding members of our school and for those who have joined since, the beautiful tree beside the science lab in the Middle School holds an even special place on our campus as it was planted by Mr Zig Inge on the school's official opening. "Watching the tree grow over time, over
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the past ten years, has been a visual representation of the school's growth." Founding teacher, Nicole Saunders said. In describing how Southern Cross Grammar rose like a Phoenix after ICA's initial closure in 2010, Mr Ponsford credited the bravery and courage of the school community and wider community, and the benevolence of the Inge family. "When reflecting on the recommencement of Southern Cross Grammar, it would not have been possible without our community's courage and determination, and the Inge family who took to our cause and supported us in buying the school so we could then buy it back in the future," he said. "Together, they made the wonderful foundations on which Southern Cross Grammar was built and these foundations have served our school greatly as we have journeyed through the years." Anthony Clark, the Director of Corporate Services and one of the founding members of the school's initial Board said, "We can't underestimate the fact that the school would not be here if the [Inge] family hadn't done what they did. It was very benevolent, and that's why it's the Inge Campus because we simply wouldn't have been here without them." Like the tree Mr Inge's father planted
Mr Peter Inge (left) and his father, Mr Zig Inge (right) with students at SCG's first year celebrations in 2012. over ten years ago, Southern Cross Grammar, in the eyes of the Inge family, has grown and surpassed any expectations into a proud and successful school in its own right. "It has been awe inspiring to watch the school grow," he said. "It's like, you go to your garden, you plant a tree and you come back and there's an orchard. It's been self-propagating, the school.
School Building in 2016, farewelling our first Year 12 Cohort (the Class of 2019), growing from 46 students in 2011 to over 750 students in 2021, and breaking ground on The Centauri Project: SCG’s most ambitious project to date.
"It has been awe inspiring to watch the school grow," he said. "It's like, you go to your garden, you plant a tree and you come back and "If I was here 10 Years ago and you were there's an orchard. It's been selfasking me, 'What do you see as a vision propagating, the school. of Southern Cross Grammar in 10 years
that are in your best interests. Southern Cross Grammar got itself back into that position, much quicker than any of us thought. Now the school is thriving and people are very keen to be able to go to Southern Cross Grammar. Its reputation is wonderful and wide reaching."
Southern Cross Grammar now clearly stands on its own feet, with a regard that continues to grow over time, both from our current families, students and staff, and through to local leaders such as Mayor Kathy Majdlik (2020/2021), who, when commenting on the school's time?' I would have been thrilled to say, ten years said: "Congratulations to 'The school will be twice as big as what the entire Southern Cross Grammar In 2014, the school successfully it is today, it would have doubled the community as you celebrate ten years number of buildings, and it will be on its purchased back the campus from the since the opening of your wonderful Inge family. "It was a momentous day way to financial independence.' school. Southern Cross Grammar when our family were able to hand the "Southern Cross Grammar has outshone title of the school back to the school," Mr has established itself as one of our any expectations in terms of what region’s top educational providers, Inge said. "The school controls its own the school has achieved. It has been offering outstanding opportunities to its destiny and has grown ever since. We phenomenal." students, and preparing them with the were never the owners of this school: skills to excel in their further studies and The plaque under the tree planted by Mr we were the custodians of the school careers, and thrive in our communities. on behalf of the school. So I just felt like Zig Inge reads: The planting of this tree we just put our arms around the school, by Mr Zig Inge on the first day of school, "The health and wellbeing of the young held it, and protected it until the school's people of our City is one of Council’s Monday 18 July 2011, marks a special rightful ownership was restored.” moment: the realisation of a dream, highest priorities. After all, they are following significant commitment and the future leaders of our community. He went on to say, “One thing, which the determination to succeed. Southern Cross Grammar has been a is a great lesson for all schools, is that truly positive force in the lives of so you need to control your own destiny; The school's determination to succeed many of our young residents, and I wish you need to own yourself. If you are has been marked in milestones over everyone who continues to pour their beholden to a third party, then you the years, including growing from one haven’t got that ability to make decisions heart and souls into this outstanding building to four, opening the Junior 93
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SCG's Official Opening, Monday 18 July 2011. 95
If I was here 10 Years ago and you were asking me, "What do you see as a vision of Southern Cross Grammar in 10 years time?" I would have been thrilled to say, "The school will be twice as big as what it is today, it would have doubled the number of buildings, and it will be on its way to financial independence." Southern Cross Grammar has outshone any expectations in terms of what the school has achieved. It has been phenomenal. We love seeing the reports, hearing the reports and watching it grow. —Mr Peter Inge school all the very best in all their future endeavours." Mr Inge echoed her sentiments, saying, "The greatest highlight has been the observance of how respected Southern Cross Grammar has become. I have some commercial involvements in the western part of Melbourne and so often, Southern Cross Grammar's name comes up as a shining light in terms of the education opportunities, and avails to the parents who work very hard to send their children to the school. "Southern Cross Grammar is pivotal to the community. Students who come to Southern Cross Grammar don't just learn how to read, write and count; they learn how to be human. It is intangible that if you're a Southern Cross Grammar graduate you walk with integrity, are altruistic and make decisions for the greater good, which maybe aren't for you. "If I get an application for a job [and] I see that that child was educated at Southern Cross Grammar, I will know straight away, that they understand right from wrong, that they have a 96
greater responsibility than themselves. With that, they'll get through the gate because of the school they went to. And that is something which reflects on the school." Mr Nate Fosnaugh, Acting Chair of the SCG Board also commented on the school’s success over the past decade, acknowledging the original mission of the school Board and leadership at the time of relaunching, and honouring that vision over the years. “As a Board we strive for Southern Cross Grammar to be big enough, yet small enough,” he said. “This means being big enough to offer a full range of subjects, have specialist support, modern facilities, leading educators and staff, and big enough for everyone in our community to have a voice and find belonging. “Yet, our numbers have remained small to keep our long-standing tradition of knowing each student and offering personalised experiences for Foundation-Year 12 students. “The initial Board of Directors chose this for the school, and the following
Boards have kept this principle, because it keeps us agile, and fosters a culture of high performance and personalisation which in turn enables us to not only develop great students leaders of today, and of the future.” Watching Southern Cross Grammar grow over the past decade has been a joy, especially for founding families. "As parents, the experience we have gone through with our children's education has been peaceful and rewarding," Leah Kralevski, a founding parent, said. "We can't say that our daughters have ever missed out on anything." Mr Matthew Dodd, the current Principal of Southern Cross Grammar, commented on his joy and privilege working with a kind, high performing and resilient community, and praised the efforts of every individual contribution—large or small—over the ten years, saying, "Southern Cross Grammar was founded on goodwill, generosity and community, and the Inge family were at the forefront of leading this in 2011. These values are well celebrated in our community and have been a pillar of strength in our school.
The Centauri Project represents an expansion of Southern Cross Grammar's student-centred approach to providing the best facilities for students and staff to work and learn together.
“The contributions made to Southern Cross Grammar over its ten-year history have laid strong foundations for the current ambitions we are, and have been, able to pursue to expand the offerings to our students, families and the wider community. I am optimistic that the school will continue to grow from strength to strength under the current team's careful stewardship." When speaking of the school's change in leadership following Mr Ponsford's retirement in 2020, Mr Inge said, "Another highlight was watching Andrew finish his days and hand the baton over to Matthew Dodd. The school did not miss a beat." In March 2020, the Board made the decision to bring forward Mr Dodd’s appointment to support a smooth transition in the school's leadership and to specifically lead the school’s response to the pandemic. This included our successful remote learning launch on Thursday 26 March 2020 and subsequent transition to remote learning. For the Salomon-Best family, who
joined the school in 2014, the school's transition to remote learning has been one of the strongest points in the school's response to the pandemic. "Our transition [to remote learning] has been one of the strongest points in our time at SCG. It was like a switch and they were able to flip that switch on and transition almost immediately. It has been very, very positive, and more widely in terms of the communication from the school, it has been fantastic. It has been very transparent and reactive," Andrew Salomon-Best said.
remote learning, as though there wasn't really a gap or pause. They didn't say we are closing down in March and have nothing happen during April. It was a full continuation. The challenges of remote learning are quite high and the school adopted various approaches to help alleviate that, in trying to keep things fresh and have the students as engaged as possible."
a symbol of hope for a more joyful 2022 for our community.
"There's no doubt that The Centauri Project is the immediate focus of our attention at the moment," Louie Dimovski said, "The Project brings something unique to the school, and top of the class when compared to its peers. To provide that style of variation to the school, elevates Southern Cross Grammar as being one of the premier
In what has been described by many, as “a new chapter in our school’s history”, we broke ground on The Centauri Project in December 2020. Watching The Centauri Project rise and take Watching The Centauri Project rise shape on our campus, during lockdowns and take shape on our campus, and learning transitions on-site and during lockdowns and learning off-site, to nearly being completed has transitions on-site and off-site, to been a symbol of hope for a more joyful 2022 for our community. nearly being completed has been
Founding parent, Louie Dimovski, praised the school’s remote learning program and response saying, "I was quite surprised that effectively, the school had a day one solution around
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The Junior School Opening was not only an exciting one for our community, but a big mindset change for our families. It sent the message that Southern Cross Grammar was not going anywhere, anytime soon. — Anthony Clark, Director of Corporate Services.
The Junior School's Official Opening, 2 Feburary 2015. 99
Principal, Mr Matt Dodd, spends some time with Aleyna Aykutlu (Class of 2032) before the Class of 2020's Farewell Assembly, guiding her through the important role of leading the procession with the school bell.
For Hannah Radburn and her family, The Centauri Project reflects the Southern Cross Grammar's growth and new beginnings for the school. "The Centauri Project shows the continuation of the school's growth and is a new beginning too. It solidifies our position as a school while creating more opportunities for students to excel. To have the project break ground while navigating the pandemic has given us something to look forward to, and has been a source of hope for the community."
"I see Southern Cross being one of the great schools in Melbourne that becomes extremely well known for its culture, its teaching, and educational standards. It's already one of the top schools in the state, and a place that produces wonderful human beings. Because that's how you judge the school; by what it produces. By having great [students] coming out and doing wonderful things, what that does is it enhances the community which the school serves."
As Southern Cross Grammar continues to grow, Mr Inge looks forward to the second and third generations of SCG students who will make a difference in the world as Alumni, and contribute back to the school with "money, expertise, networks and contacts."
As one of the first groups of students to graduate Southern Cross Grammar Taylor Stoitsis (Class of 2020) is one of 150 Alumni who have had a pivotal role in leading our student cohort. "It was an honour to be involved in such a remarkable part of Southern Cross Grammar’s history," she said. "Given the upbringing of SCG and its journey, being part of the third year of SCG graduates held great responsibilities in defining its leadership and guiding the way for future Southern Cross Grammar students.
He said, "Southern Cross Grammar is a young school, but every day it's becoming older and being more entrenched in traditions. Most importantly, I think its cultural soul is intact. All of this, in combination with overlaying the culture with more history and tradition, will only make the school stronger and stronger. 100
"I truly believe that the Southern Cross Grammar community fosters an
exceptional level of community, in which members embody compassion, support, and respect for one another. I hope that as the community grows, members of SCG will continue to encapsulate the same qualities, fostering a similar positive experience." Southern Cross Grammar’s partnership between the Inge family has evolved over the years, but the bond remains stronger than ever before. "The partnership has been wonderful as it has been unique because our job [as custodians] is done," Mr Inge said. "We feel very much part of the school community, and it has been wonderful watching the school prosper. "There is always a linked joint interest that my family will always have to Southern Cross Grammar, and that's the history, and knowing that the school was at risk, and that risk is now gone. "Our family's connection to the school will be forever. And in any time that the school ever wanted to, or needed advice or help—or anything we could do—we'll be there in the blink of an eye."
I see Southern Cross being one of the great schools in Melbourne that becomes extremely well known for its culture, its teaching, and educational standards. It's already one of the top schools in the state, and a place that produces wonderful human beings. Because that's how you judge the school; by what it produces. By having great [students] coming out and doing wonderful things, what that does is it enhances the community which the school serves. —Mr Peter Inge
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Our family's connection to Southern Cross Grammar will be forever. It has been awe inspiring to watch the school grow. It's like, you go to your garden, you plant a tree and you come back and there's an orchard. It's been self profit propagating, the school. The school is prospering, but there is always a linked joint interest that we'll always have. In any time that the school ever wanted to, or needed advice or help, or anything we could do, we'll be there in the blink of an eye. —Mr Peter Inge
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THE CLASS OF 2021 The Class of 2021 have given the SCG Community a masterclass in leadership, agility, and resilience. Having spent their final two years of schooling navigating the pandemic, they have emerged as resilient and courageous leaders ready for the bright futures that await them as Alumni. We wish them every success as SCG Alumni.
2021 Head Prefects Hannah Merry and Aaryan Ram address the Class of 2021, families and esteemed guests at the Class of 2021's Valedictory on Thursday 18 November 2021.
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CLASS OF 2021
ARIANE ABANTERIBA
ALVINA AHSAN
SAMY ASSAFIRI
MARCUS BAGNATO
CHLOE BAILLIE
CHANELLE BALDEVIA
OLIVIA CAPITANIO
ADAM CHAHROUK
IZELLAH CHETCUTI
ANISH DAVULURI
PARIS EKLADIOUS
ADAM ELDALY
KAYLA JONES
ALYSSA KISHTA DZIUBINSKI
JAMES KOJDOVSKI
MARC KRAVARIS
TOMAI LASPAS
DOREEN LEE
RAYAN NASIR
JASMINE NGUYEN
ATMAN PARIKH
MARGARITA PRASSINOS
NGUYEN QUACH
AAVARTNA VAANEE SINGH
ADITI SINHA
LE TRAN
VICTORIA VO
DAVID VU
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AYISHA NOUR
ELLA SOLOCZYNSKYJ
ALEX BANOVSKI
BARATH BASKARAN
YUVRAJ BHARGAV
RUBEN BOERMANS
LIAM BOESCH
CHRISTIAN BRINSKI
STEFAN FILIPPONE
PRITPAL GILL
JESSICA HARBOUR
MOHAMMAD HELAL
JYE HOSKIN
TIAHNA JENKINS
JOSHUA MACPHERSON
DAN MAI
OLIVIA MALEK-JEFFS
HANNAH MERRY
ANDJELA MICIC
RAIYAN MIRZA
MUHAMMAD (ZARAAR) RABBANI
JOSHUA RAINBOW
AARYAN RAM
CODY SIMMONS
RAMANDEEP SINGH
PRABHJOT SINGH LALLY
JOANNE VUU
CALLUM WEIR
QUEENIE YANG
MOHAMMAD ZOGHAIB
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WATCH HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE CLASS OF 2021'S VALEDICTORY
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HEAD PREFECTS’ VALEDICTORY SPEECH
We are honoured to be here tonight at the valedictory ceremony for the class of 2021. Good evening, everyone. We are honoured to be here tonight at the valedictory ceremony for the class of 2021.
caught in the hotel gym at Hong Kong and the ute getting bogged on our last day at Broome, the list of our fond SCG memories goes on.
despite the clear ‘no running rule’ this retreat provided a perfect opportunity for us to prepare for the coming year, giving us a few days to relax and laugh.
We begin tonight by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we gather tonight and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples here today.
But the period of focus is 2021, and our experiences throughout our final year of schooling.
May saw our personal highlight from the year: the handing out of Year 12 jumpers. The months of putting together designs and collecting nicknames were completely worth it when we had the honour of handing out each student's jumper, and seeing the VCE lounge fill with smiles as everyone took photos with their new uniform.
We welcome the Chairman of the SCG Board – Mr Nate Fosnaugh – members of the Board, our Principal Mr Matt Dodd, parents, families and guests, teachers and most importantly our Year 12 students. It is with great pleasure that we welcome you here this evening as it marks the closing of a significant chapter in the lives of the Year 12s and their families. Over the past two years, it may seem like we were confined to online study and isolation, but the truth is through these hardships we endured, we have an abundance of memories to share with each other. From Aly and Le participating in the world’s greatest shave, Marc breaking the light, 7.3 winning the 2016 Pell Ball Tournament, Barath and Yuvraj getting
Our journey started with our final swimming carnival. The enthusiasm and participation of our cohort was evident through the multitude of costumes from dinosaur Dan to Callum and Helal’s identical emoji outfits, which was only matched by Mr Pell, who introduced every Year 12 racing as if it were the Olympics. It was amazing to see almost everyone get involved, but we would have to put our highlight as the final Year 12 relay, which was neck and neck but Beta pulled in for the win. From a fellow beta racer, thank you to team captain James, our leader Kayla and Alex for coming in clutch. A few days later we had our Retreat, a backdrop of orienteering and volleyball, during which the statement “Year 12 is a marathon, not a sprint,” was instilled in our heads. Regardless of Rama, Anish and Adam’s failed raft attempt, and Mr Ogden tripping during our outdoor activities,
But all this could not be achieved without the ongoing support of the community around us. We would like to thank our parents who were with us for every step of our schooling journey, celebrating the triumphs of finishing SACs, submitting assignments or even getting out of bed for WebEx calls. And who were also there through the blood, sweat, and especially the tears. You helped us through every moment. To the teachers who did so much more than just taking us through classes. Who made it through the days where we wouldn’t unmute our mics and countless lessons staring at blank squares on a screen, and yet still always going the extra mile to ensure we made it through online learning, like Ms Brkic mailing 109
us postcards when we finished our final SACs and always having time for a laugh. Even in the lowest points of lockdown Mr Lake's humour in English class never failed to put a smile on our faces, or even Ms Atal Carreon showing off an arsenal of NERF guns.
To our principal Mr Dodd, who always accommodated our needs throughout this difficult year, always listened and provided words of wisdom when most needed. Thank you for your guidance and our frequent friendly chats around the school.
To the Head of VCE: Miss Unthank. We remember our term 3 practice exams, and having a day where we had six hours of trial exams, and thinking wow it's been a long day. And then realising Miss Unthank had sat through every exam that day, and every other day, watching every student. And that’s just the beginning of her work.
But our most important thanks and congratulations goes to the 56 classmates who sit in front of us today. The months of online learning to which we know we all struggled. The days we didn’t want to get up, the days we didn’t focus on WebEx calls. And yet every single one of us sits here today. Finished. That’s an achievement like no other.
To the Head of Year 12: Dr. Basha, who was available for a WebEx call on weekends and after school to always provide a voice of reason and an answer to our endless questions, and still had time to edit us into Neanderthals during Biology class, and show us his pet birds. To the admin team and everyone who worked behind the scenes, who truly do not get enough credit for their efforts. We remember pitching the idea to send practice exams to every student during online learning, and the next day, the admin staff had organised, printed, and sent off 100s of these exams. 110
2021 was a year so much more than academics. We grew as individuals and felt support like no other. From celebrating our 18th birthdays online, or through David’s happy quarantine birthday video, to face timing to finish the homework. We were here for each other and it was truly a blessing to get through this journey with such great people by our sides. We wish everyone the best for the future, wherever it takes them, and we look forward to seeing you all in future reunions, where Le is teaching English to the next generation of SCG students,
Anish is travelling the world with his pilot's license, and Josh Macpherson has released the 500th episode of his podcast. It has been an honour to be your Head Prefects for 2021, and we thank you for an opportunity we will never forget. And now to finally say the words we have been waiting to say: Southern Cross Grammar Class of 2021, we did it. Thank you.
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2021 STAR OF THE SOUTHERN CROSS RECIPIENT Ari joined Southern Cross Grammar in Year 10 and ever since has been making waves as one of the most outspoken members of the year level. Whether I’ve got my back turned and she’s sneakily throwing chuppa chupps to the class, or learning how to balance on Le’s skateboard, she is forever laughing and smiling. We’ve all been asked upwards of a thousand questions from Ari over the past three years, and I don’t know if I’ll ever again hear someone with such a strong opinion about what constitutes good literature. Her intelligence is far greater than she lets on, enjoying the element of surprise in revealing her skills to those lucky enough to be considered a trusted friend. Loyal, kind and caring, she has been a support to me and many others in times where she has sensed it has been a rough day. Her sensitivity and resilience in overcoming hardship has been admirable to say the least, and her embodiment of the spirit of Southern Cross Grammar makes her not only an excellent candidate for our Star of the Southern Cross Award, but for a happy and ambitious future in whatever she finds herself doing in the coming years. I will personally miss her ten thousand visits to my office every day, and I know her teachers will miss her wily excuses for late coursework. But most of all we are grateful to have known her and her beautiful family throughout her time at Southern Cross Grammar. I present to you, Ari Abanteriba, the 2021 recipient of the Star of the Southern Cross. —Ms Megan Unthank: Head of VCE
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Callum Weir and Izzy (Izellah) Chetcuti deliver a speech reflecting on the year, after being awarded the Gorton Young Leaders Award. The award was presented by Head of VCE, Ms Megan Unthank, on behalf of Mr Brendan O'Conner, the Federal Member for Gorton.
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GORTON YOUNG LEADERS' AWARD ADDRESS MS UNTHANK: It is my esteemed honour to present to you two recipients of the Gorton Young Leaders Award, as bestowed by Mr Brendan O’Conner the Federal Member for Gorton: Izzy Chetcuti and Callum Weir. Izzy was nominated and awarded this award for her quiet leadership in our community. She makes time for others in ways that are not broadcast to the world, but instead done solely for the contribution her time and energy gives to a person in need. Izzy is part of or has taken part in Be My Eyes, an organisation that helps people with vision impairment or blindness to complete tasks big and small; 7 Cups, where she served as a youth mental health volunteer; the May 50k for Multiple Sclerosis and Shopping Angels helping people in need do grocery shopping over the COVID months. Her humble efforts to help those in her community during the enduring lockdowns over the past two years have made a significant impact on those who have come in contact with her. She is a worthy recipient of the Gorton Young Leaders award. Callum is the unsung hero and leader of our school and its community. His kindness and positive attitude have kept his peers and teachers in good spirits throughout the challenges of lockdown this year. Always putting others before himself, his ability to see people in need where others would walk past is exceptional. He is curious and intelligent and incredibly down-to-earth. His contributions to the school include: leadership positions, public-speaking, mentorship, unofficial classroom support person and all round excellent role model. There is few who deserve to be recognised for their leadership in the community more than Callum Weir. I would now like to pass you over to hear from our Gorton Young Leaders for their final thoughts on the times had and the future ahead. IZZY: Let’s address the elephant in the room. This year obviously hasn't been easy. We have been asked to give a speech tonight, but rather than reflecting on the past in a negative light, why not focus on what it provides us with now? I’m definitely not alone in saying that I am proud of us all for completing our thirteenth year of school, and finally being able to bid goodbye to who we used to be. We persisted, with a special thanks to our amazingly supportive school community and its brilliant teachers. They have worked ridiculous hours to see us through, and answer our random math questions or remind us how to write an essay in the middle of the night. We would also like to thank our families who have dealt with our emotional breakdowns the night before a sac or exam, ensuring that we can safely move on to the next stage in our lives, whatever that is, and with some powerfully bright highlights from this past year, reminding us that nothing is insurmountable. We’ve grown and achieved so much together, as students, as adults and as people. Who would’ve thought? CALLUM: I don’t know about all of you, but I’ve tried as hard as I can to forget this year—and in all honesty, who would blame me? Even though it can seem tempting to just throw away our memories from the past year, I propose
a better alternative: remember. Although I don't want to remember the times my internet spited me, I do want to remember the smiles on the other end of the screen. You can always find good, valuable messages within even the most dire of times. This same sentiment is explored in a bunch of boring cliches, such as ‘yin and yang’ or ‘the grass is greener’. You get the idea. Why would we throw away and dismiss our last year of schooling, when we have come so far to get here? Why should we let the inconveniences of the past year override the brilliant times we had? As we venture into the future as the strongest generation yet, I implore you all to dig deep, and find something valuable from the past year. The power to remember is far more significant than the power to forget.
and into our adult lives. What the school has taught us supersedes standard textbook knowledge and the cheat codes of the CAS calculator—we have become functioning members of society, with values that we will carry off into the future. CALLUM: I find it genuinely difficult to say goodbye to all of you; and I’m not just saying that to be poetic, or make an emotional speech. I truly am attached to each and every one of you—teacher or student—and it sends shivers down my spine to know that tonight might be the last time that some of us speak. That being said, hope endures even in times like these. The past year has birthed a new sense of confidence within all of us; if we could get through this year, we can get through anything.
Even though we are on the verge of separating into our own independent lives, I hope you all can cherish the This past year, we have learnt far more times we had, even if they may be than just equations that we’ll never use coming to an end. I look forward to again. We have learnt how to persevere hearing all about your times ahead, and pick up where we left off, even in whether that be partying to your heart's the hardest of times. Despite a nearcontent, or finally just getting to catch complete lack of contact and control, we up with your mates. I will preserve the as a cohort have formed connections memories of this year, even if the year and learnt lessons that will become the itself is ending. Essentially, it is better to foundation of who we are, not only as have loved and lost than to have never students, but as individuals. loved at all. Instead of saying farewell, Although physically a school, Southern I instead encourage all of you to say Cross Grammar has become an integral ‘Hello’ to the life ahead of you. part of our identities and the lessons we have learnt, as we will carry them beyond the building’s asymmetric walls, IZZY:
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TO MARK THEIR FINAL DAY AS SCG STUDENTS, THE CLASS OF 2021 AND STAFF CELEBRATED WITH A FUN DAY FULL OF ACTIVITIES AT ARCHIE BROTHERS CIRQUE ELECTRIQ.
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OUR LEARNING COMMUNITY
The Southern Cross Grammar community is diverse, collaborative, and productive. In 2021 we had over 750 students enrolled in our school and 100 staff. Year 7 students, the Class of 2026, ride the waves at their Year 7 Camp in Balnarring
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OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF FOUNDATION: CLASS OF 2033
YEAR 1: CLASS OF 2032
YEAR 2: CLASS OF 2031
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YEAR 3: CLASS OF 2030
YEAR 4: CLASS OF 2029
YEAR 5: CLASS OF 2028
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YEAR 6: CLASS OF 2027
YEAR 7: CLASS OF 2026
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YEAR 8: CLASS OF 2025
YEAR 9: CLASS OF 2024
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YEAR 10: CLASS OF 2023
YEAR 11: CLASS OF 2022
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YEAR 12: CLASS OF 2021
STAFF
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Foundation Class of 2033 Zaid Alazab Cheri-Maria Attia Amber Au Jayansh Bassi Sahib Bhatia Ethan Bui Jonathan Chen Christian Chrissafis Amelia Clissold Memphis Cooper Olivia Curmi Aveer Dang Addison Dessmann Arizona Dessmann Ayomide Dosunmu Noah Eldib Melisa Erdal Zac Eyiam Michael George Gobindh Gill Manraj Gill Celia Gonzalez Zahlie Gucevski Yuven Gupta Stefan Ilievski Athriya Jaiganesh Taylor Jensen Eashan Jha Luka Jolevski Harvey Kotevski Sia Kulkarni Arjun Lekhi Sage Mifsud Lilliana Muscat Sienna Perera Ethan Pham Alana Rosen Sienna Saini Milan Sami Giaan Sandhu Rannvijay Sekhon Liesl Staedler Neth Thilakarathna Claire Vasilevski Xavier Vassallo Angad Walia Arkira Wong
Year 1 Class of 2032 Arham Afraz Jamie Antram Maria Astrakhantsev Emma Au Aleyna Aykutlu Roy Bhatt Angel Bhattacharya Ellie Bouakeo Valencia Cooper Amelia D'Aloisio Ariana Deshpande Rajveer Dhillon Eleni Divitaris Rayan Dutta Omar Fahad 138
Grace Foreman Elsie Gonzalez Lena Gundogan Kyra Harangulkar Sibèal Hughes Jad Ibrahim Basha Skylar Jolevski Taylan Kibar Alessia Kolodziejczuk Irena Kulkarni Divjot Lally Ajit Madahar Aariz Mahmud Makenzie Mallia Chase Matthews Salvatore Montesano Olivia Moore Meera Nair Jasmine Nassar Lachlan Nguyen Vardhana Ogirala Cassius Ozdemir Abhi Peddisetti Archie Raccosta Kian Sarvaiya Pearl Sharma Leni Sleman Beau Spiteri Yuina Tan Lysander Tavlas Elijah Tkatchyk Devansh Tripathi Georgia Tsiokos Lachlan Vella Bhavan Visahan
Year 2 Class of 2031 Adem Abdullah Baylasaan Abu-Hassan Areesh Afraz Alina Alyas Finn Andrews Christiana-Maria Attia Aydin Blawuciak Guransh Brar Eve Camilleri Warren Chen Anaya Dogra Aramide Dosunmu Ali Eldib Keilen Galang Armaan Ghosh Yusuf Haddara Mila Herrera Mariella Hoang DeAndre Jong Ahmed Khan Zoe Kotevski Suvin Kulasekara Anna Lam Mackenzie Le Manavjit Madahar Jesinta Martins Sophie Matthews Wesley McLardie Ryan Mercieca
Marcus Nguyen Saani Oswal William Paddle Jay Pannu Naya Pasion Ruby-Rose Prakash Archie Punati Nihira Ragavendiran Ethan Rosen Alicia Saad Zahra Sabharwal Ishini Seekkuge Reva Tiwari Janene Tran Madison Tran Olivia Tsiokos Ardit Veli Jaycob Willson Alper Yilec Altay Yilec
Year 3 Class of 2030 Lucy Antram
Myrah Bali Benjamin Barbar Xavier Borg Sehej Daid Koya Dalton Ruhaanbir Dhillon Chloe Findlay Keerath Gill Ayra Iqbal Ashlyn Kanda Zavier Karunatileke Matthew Kaszkiel Abhinoor Kaur Yusra Khan Rihaan Khurana Sebastian Lambous Ridam Mann Austin Meilak Daksh Nanduri Aidan Nguyen Natalie Nguyen Quentin Nguyen Rian Pasricha Natasha Patankar Shrey Patel Eva Pham Shiven Prakash Krishna Rajaraman Jacine Randhawa Jyi Roberts Rayan Safdar Milan Saini Nelisha Samarasekera Tahnia Segovia Ved Sharma Azaan Sidhu Laura Stark Jennifer Sun Bashayer Tabish Ava Tkatchyk Bella Torres-Gomez Jayden Tran Evangelene Tsabasidis
Kanish Vartak Ethan Vella Scarlett Vu Ruthwik Sai Yarrapureddy
Year 4 Class of 2029 Yashica Abrol Jaden Acuna Shasmeen Adegbola Lina A. Diya Aravindan Nicholas Astrakhantsev Yuvraj Bagga Shanneli Bandara Ayush Banerjee Ishaan Brar Owen Caruana Grace Chambers Naisha Chopra Annalise Daulo Asha Dique Anishka Gautaman Oliver Gavran Jerome Georges Aliyah Hernandez Amelie Herrera Liban Hossain Aidan Hughes Mayla Ibrahim Basha Hayley Im Ashton Joannou Arielle Judnic Anushka Kardaley Ruhnoor Kaur Sienna Khehra Kaya Kibar Yuna Kim Adam Klasic Trisha Kulkarni Ranveer Lumb Saachi Mittal Evelyne Nguyen Oliver Payton Orlando Perre Macey Radburn Claire Saad Shayan Safdar Rehmat Sekhon Dhanvi Sharma Krishika Sharma Arav Sidhu Aaresh Thotakura Tori Vasiliou Cauchi Indiana Veitch Roger Walker Elisse Ying Huey Wong Carlisle Yong
Year 5 Class of 2028 Ovidu Aluthjage Lashni Amarasinghe Aanya Arora Arsalan Ashraf Luka Banovski Oksana Barbar Prince Batth Rohan Bhargav Mavik Bhasin Rose Camilleri Eden Clark Aarin Dang Sahejpreet Dhillon Sienna Emini Abbey Fosnaugh Amelie Gucevski Sarah Haddara AJ Hernandez Ramaa Joshi Aayman Kakkar Uzair Khan Ayaan Kiyani Raymond Li Sienna Martins Ryan Mathew Abigail Matta Esha Mehta Ranveer Minhas Taywin Moore Ayaisha Munro Zahra Navarose Lucas Nguyen Meghna Ogirala Phoenix Pecevski Lucas Pilovski Lithum Ratnayake Liam Raven Aarushh Shankar Elsa Shi Anabelle Sleman Ammar Syed Shaunak Talwar Chloe Tam Aina Tan Bryan Tran Eva Velasquez Avni Venugopal Wilson Vu Dean Yang
Year 6 Class of 2027 Sanad Alazab Beth Barbara Arabella Borg Javeen Brar Devyn Cimbaljevic Charlie Cook Estelle Ekladious Aydin Erdal Samuel Findlay Dut Garang Sebastian Gavran Kiro Georges Sheldon Gill
Vaishu Goli Nisali Gunasinghe Riya Harangulkar Gabriel Hyde Zara Karunatileke Sasha Kasyanov Rohit Krishnan Eric Le Alessandra Leong Richard Li Kiarash Loni Vanshika Madan Adekbany Madut Annhi Mai Tiana Marnik Naomi Matta Zachary Micevski Mila Micic Saksham Nagpal Krish Nanduri Saron Natnael Alicia Pang Azzaam Qureshi Thomas Sarandoglou Inesh Seekkuge Ruby Spiteri Anisha Teji Hayden Tran Mia Tran Devishi Tripathi Dean Tsabasidis Tameia Veitch Renelda Veli Isabella Vuu Hiya Vyas Evelyn Webster Thomas Yangco
Year 7 Class of 2026 Isla Abbott Ayten Abu-Hassan Mohammad Alazab Ben Alexander Yousef Al-Ramahi Amaan A. Riya Arbindi Satvik Arveti Venkata Naga Naomi Aziz Arjun Bagga Aaryan Chadha Prisha Chand Trisha Chand Zoe Chetcuti April Clark Eshaan Desai Agam Dhillon An Do Kareem Eldaly Dillon Emini Liam Ennis Sabrina Fahad Luke Findlay Sophie Fosnaugh Alexander Fu Ben Harbour Omer Haseeb
An-Tien Hoang Yasemin Isen Savannah Israel Lincoln Jacobs Zahlee Joannou Alena Judnic Simar Kaela Gurman Kaur Jasmin Kaur Aarush Khurana Evan Le Lukas Li Rosi Alexandra Liska Aadi Luthra Ramandeep Mahender Singh Vansh Marwah Andreea Memete Eamon Minocha Sydh Mishra Jakkarin Moore Roman Muse Elizabeth Owa Shubh Patel Akshay Peri Lily Pham Otto Phuengchetsada Jacob Pilovski Alexa Radburn Ahnali Ranasinghe Nathan Raven Gaveen Samarakoon Shaina Sharma Amanat Sidhu Samran Singh Sidhu Ashveer Singh Ikroop Singh Ali Sleman Jamie Stagg Zayaan Tabish Elliot Tam Shan Thilakarathna Simar Tokhi Abhay Verma Tianyi Wang Indiana Wiggins Charlotte Withers Ted Woollard
Year 8 Class of 2025 Chloe Abela Mohamed Ahmed Gautam Aravinthan Harry Baillie Harri Barby Filopater Barsoum Saksham Bhardwaj Kobi Buttigieg Nicolas Camilleri Chanelle Cimbaljevic Ashton Dessmann Hamish Dhillon Aditya Dhingra Jessica Dimovska Adrienne Dique Williamina Doull Kayla Fereday
Paige Ferraro Mia Gjoni Rajiv Gordon Esha Grover Pulak Gupta Saphia Haddara Annie Huang Sebastian Hyde Hunter Jenkins Zara Joachimiak Ellie Jones Diana Karthikappally Veronica Kaszkiel Hannah Kaur Tayla Kojdovska Sienna Kostadinovic Sienna Kralevski Angelica Krstevska Helena Labus Itai Levinger Persia Loni Marcus Ly Madison Mackenzie-Ross Monty Madan Connor Majstorovic Hannah Marasigan Matilda Merry Mackenzie Morgan Leheny Connor Muse Angelle Nguyen Carmen Ooi Yash Padmawar Ishika Parekh Prajeet Peddisetti James Pfister Henry Pham Justin Pham Zeina Rauf Taylah Roberts Eva Rose Maddy Salomon-Best Avneet Sandhu Zoe Seemann Tamanpreet Singh Tariq Singh Olivia Skrekovski Aliviah Sleman Scout Sliwa Jacob Stark Tegan Su Tyana Su Rhianna Tasevska Thisama Thantheriwatta Lucas Theuma Krystal Tran Ryan Veljanovski Dylan Vuu Victor Walker Rocy Wang Lucas Wojton
Year 9 Class of 2024 Muhammad Aayan Saieesh Abbireddy Jana Abdelfattah Rushshi Amarasinghe 139
Deen Balla Denzel Barkho Maddie Beckhurst Arber Bregu Talia Capitanio Sartaj Chaddha Talia Chambers Sakari Clarke-Oldani Caleb Dalla Rosa Lindon Demiri Lily Dowell Prapti Dutta Khadija Faisal Chalice Harrison Shaiza Hassan Edric He Cyah Jenkins Ayra Khan Faaris Khan Vernica Khanna Brian Kim Rachel Kovoor Amy Le Yolanda Lin Bradden Louey Carmen Magro Kimberly Martins Frances Mateo Alannah Meilak Fernanda Morales Godoy Teshana Munro Zeke Nadeem Niv Nakuladeva Mike Natnael Angela Ngugi Dhruv Patel Medha Peri Chloe Pfister Austin Phuengchetsada Mel Phuengchetsada Sierra Ralph Trisha Ram Gunnseerat Randhawa Harjas Sandhu Lucas Sarandoglou Marie Sarkatzis Emily Sarris Oskar Seemann Nikita Sergienko Jazleen Singh Ananya Sinha Luka Stefanovski Jasmin Thai Ryan Thilakarathna Dien Tran Kimberley Tran Aarushi Tripathi Pritika Vartak Emilio Velasquez Peter Walker Ella Webber Connor Webster Lucas Weir Jake Williams Tayla Williams Paige Withers Josie Woollard 140
Stephon Xiradakis Leo Xu Amy Yuen Layla Zoghaib
Year 10 Class of 2023 Adi Acuna Danidu Aluthjage Aidan Andrews Lachlan Andrews Tayla Aykutlu Zack Barbara Beshoy Barsoum William Bentley Saif Birma Natasha Brinski Lachlan Brown Damon Clark William Collins Nina Custodio Taylor Dang Liam Dermanis-Clinch Aaleyah Dessmann Angus Dhillon Madison Dimkovski Aleesha Doull Bethany Ferraro Hesara Gamalath Kausalya Gautaman Maximus Gener Hannah Green Olivia Green Eva Grover Besty Hennes Sage Huseinovski Mackenzie Jacobs Jayson Jeganathan Anmol Kaur Imaan Kiyani Rotem Levinger Kristoffer Liska Aidan Majstorovic Kristine Marasigan Nash Maravilla Vivan Marwah Alisha Matyana Ali Mirza Joshua Otsuka Ashwin Patil Thomas Pham Moaaz Rabbani Pride Raina Samuel Rainbow Ananya Rajaraman Kevin Ratnayake Ella Rose Sophie Salomon-Best Reese Schulz James Segalla Rashdhaan Sheriff Aditi Shinde Armaan Singh Sidhu Avneet Sidhu Manvir Sivia Sienna Sleman Lachlan Sliwa
Thomas Stoitsis Sahib Tokhi Kenny Tran Vanshita Venugopal Ethan Vo Shuja Waqas Illiana Wite Dave Wong Christopher Yangco
Jason Tran Maxim Trofimov Kiani Ulloa Kiko Urgel Elysia Veljanovski Ethan Veljanovski Aimee Vukoja Emily Williams Zara Woollard
Year 11 Class of 2022
Year 12 Class of 2021
Ella Abbott Ghazi Abu Naeem Jana Abu-Hassan Olivia Alexander Mahir Arora Zain Balla Jordi Buttigieg Tehya Clarke-Oldani Aditii Dhingra Brandon Dimkovski Rebecca Dimovska Sachitha Dinessh Ayriele Dique Basil Firea Carolina Freitas Rithik Goli Rahul Gordon Zac Gorman Diya Goyal Diya Grover Amelie Harrison Maida Hassan Pareshey Jamal Ben Jones Maaz Kashif Parneet Kaur Shaina Kaur Dilan Kaya Alana Keating Angelique Kralevski Leon Li Kristina Li Rosi Blake MacPherson Antonio Magro Melissa Manno Elena Micic Udai Minhas Madeline Mistero Anushka Mudaliar Abigael Ngugi Cindy Nguyen Ved Padmawar Jacob Pecevski Mia Pliaskin Jeyda Polat Jeremy Ramos Pallavi Reddy Dakota Rees Farrugia Meiba Sietchiping Rajveer Singh Prab Singh Shokar Victoria Skrekovski Mackenzie Sykes Brandon Tasevski Ethan Thai
Ari Abanteriba Alvina Ahsan Samy Assafiri Marcus Bagnato Chloe Baillie Chanelle Baldevia Alex Banovski Barath Baskaran Yuvraj Bhargav Ruben Boermans Liam Boesch Christian Brinski Olivia Capitanio Adam Chahrouk Izzy Chetcuti Anish Davuluri Paris Ekladious Adam Eldaly Stefan Filippone Peter Gill Jessica Harbour Mohammad Helal Jye Hoskin Tiahna Jenkins Kayla Jones Alyssa Kishta Dziubinski James Kojdovski Marc Kravaris Tomai Laspas Doreen Lee Joshua MacPherson Dan Mai Olivia Malek-Jeffs Hannah Merry Andjela Micic Raiyan Mirza Rayan Nasir Jasmine Nguyen Ayisha Nour Atman Parikh Margarita Prassinos Nguyen Quach Zaraar Rabbani Joshua Rainbow Aaryan Ram Cody Simmons Ramandeep Singh Vaanee Singh Prabhjot Singh Lally Aditi Sinha Ella Soloczynskyj Le Tran Victoria Vo David Vu Joanne Vuu
Callum Weir Queenie Yang Mohammad Zoghaib
SCG Board Nathan Fosnaugh Nick Pilovski Leonie Abbott John Chambers Frank Filippone Scott Radburn
Staff Danielle Andrews Bridgitte Arancibia Angie Atal Carreon Maddison Attard Iman Balla Katie Barrett Kelly Beyer Amy Bickford Lydia Brkic Nissa Caldwell Samantha Calvert Ravinesh Chandra Anthony Clark Paula Clark Andrea Clarry Ann Collyer Sarah Cooper Shellie Cooper Sheridan Coverdale James Cutting Clare David Olivia DiCocco Matt Dodd Cynthia Drossinis Beatrice D'Souza Jacqui Filonenko Helen Fisher Tosan Foss Dean Galea Christopher Gauci Judith Gowdy Robert Graham Isobel Grech Rene Grobler Blair Harbrow Benjamin Hearn Joseph Hedditch Lauren Hedditch Suzanne Helou Larissa Henry Deborah Hollis Nicole Horton Amer Ibrahim Basha Bronwyn Jessup Suzan Kibar Nikala Kundevski Jonathan Lake Kaylie Lee Vivien Lee Kylie Lidgerwood Elin Lin Dina Lira Karrina Lockman Sophie Macreadie
Elise Majstorovic Louis Martin Monica Matthews Patricia McPike Trevor McQuade Chris Mitchell Damien Morrison Katelyn Morton Taylor Moss Jacinta Murrihy Dalal Naciri Subagini Nakuladeva Rebekah Nielsen Liam Ogden Jessica Owen James Pane Jade Panozzo Michael Pell Adrian Perger Romina Pimpini Bronwyn Pokorzynski Jodie Potter Tegan Pualic Amanda Pyman Hannah Radburn Rajnesh Ram Deepti Rojiwadiya Jane Ross Laura Rovetto Genevieve Sathiaseelan Nicole Saunders Toly Sawenko Chrissy Schuler Cara Sharpe Emmett Smith Lauren Smith Shannen Spiteri Mairead Sweeney Jack Tan Vicky Temuskos Cindy Thlimenos Kerry Trounson Jennifer Turner Marite Ulloa Ayse Unal Megan Unthank Helen Vaughan Elizabeth Vincent Tanya Volarevic Trish Vu Ashlee Walsh Jolyon Watson David Wildsmith Will Wordsworth Amanda Wright John Yong Timothy Zabell Natasha Zahariadis Marina Zaky
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