Independent Schools Guide 2023: Celebrating a century of service at Camberwell Girls Grammar School

“Over my years at Camberwell Girls Grammar School, I have gained a lot of awareness and understanding of issues occurring around the globe. Through learning about the experiences of others facing adversity, I have developed empathy and knowledge that enables me to further serve others.”– Scarlett Y12

“I have always had an interest in creating positive change around the world and have always been someone who wants to solve inequality – especially food, education and gender barriers.”– Aliyana Y10

Since Camberwell Girls Grammar School opened its doors in 1920, the importance of serving others, of being aware of injustice and disadvantage, and taking positive action on a local, national or global scale has underpinned the teaching and learning program.

During World War II, students knitted socks and balaclavas to keep soldiers on the frontline warm. Fastforward to 2023, and that service ethos is stronger than ever. But these days students are more likely to be packing feminine hygiene kits for Days for Girls to send to girls in developing countries so they can continue to go to school while menstruating, or partnering with charities like Zonta to make birthing kits for women in parts of the world where childbirth can be a risky experience.

Each year, CGGS’s VCE results are impressive and the school places great emphasis on students achieving academic excellence, but this is accompanied by a Service Learning program that promotes attributes such as integrity, commitment, respect, hope and courage. Service Learning encompasses four strands – Local Community Service, Indigenous Living Culture, Global Service and Environmental Stewardship.

“In our Year 7 program we aim to develop a stronger awareness of environmental protection and management, not just at school but at home and beyond,” says Maggie Wighton, Head of Service Learning.

“Students make solar lamps for people experiencing energy poverty in places like Papua New Guinea and we have a week of environmentfocused activities, including a ‘cold day’ where we turn off the heating and lighting in the middle of winter.”

The Indigenous Living Culture program in Year 8 teaches students about the resilience and rich culture of Indigenous Australians. Students learn about the history, ongoing issues and disadvantages experienced by First Nations people. A core part of this program is CGGS’s Deadly Learning team – a group of Indigenous students at the school who generously share their traditional knowledge.

“During Languages Week they often organise activities to teach Indigenous languages and they have also developed a fascinating Tree of Life activity that is all about identifying yourself and your story and [understanding] what drives you and what is important to you. It helps students develop their own moral compass,” says Wighton.

As part of their Local Community Service, students learn about the challenges faced by refugees, people facing economic hardships and people living with disability.

Community service is important and a winter sleep-out is designed to help students develop further empathy for the many people in Melbourne who are experiencing homelessness.

To promote Global Service, CGGS has connections with The Green Gecko Project in Cambodia that supports families impacted by poverty.

“We’ve worked with many partners over the decades and these connections help our students develop understanding and compassion. It helps them realise you don’t have to wait until you leave school to make a difference – your voice and actions are important now,” says Debbie Dunwoody, CGGS Principal.

“Young people are confronted with daunting global issues, and programs like this allow them to do something, be part of a solution and see the world beyond themselves … they can be agents of change now.”

CAMBERWELL GIRLS GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Secondary School: 2 Torrington Street, Canterbury 3126 

Junior School: 4 Mont Albert Road, Canterbury 3126

Website: cggs.vic.edu.au

Enquiries: 03 9813 1166 / camgram@cggs.vic.edu.au

Years: Early Learning to Year 12

Denomination: Anglican 

Gender: Girls (co-Ed at ELC)

Fees: $19,945 (Prep) to $34,380 (Year 12) 

Boarding: No

Scholarships: Yes

ATAR (median for 2022): 93

This article appeared in Domain’s 2023 Independent Schools Guide.