Senior School News

Bridging Borders Through Friendship: Au revoir, French exchange students! 

« L’amitié double les joies et réduit de moitié les peines. »

"Friendship doubles the joys and cuts the sorrows in half." 

This quote from Francis Bacon, an English philosopher, really captures what the French exchange is all about.

The friendships formed through this exchange go far beyond just the students. We’re building meaningful, lasting connections – not only between the young people involved, but also between Viala Lacoste and Girton Grammar, between Salon-de-Provence and Bendigo, and, more broadly, between France and Australia.

Our French students arrived at the beginning of Term 2 full of energy and curiosity, and they embraced every opportunity: from their first “Harry Potter” moment with our House system, to proudly singing alongside their House in the House Singing Competition. They showed leadership at the Junior School Cross Country Carnival and got a real insight into the Australian working life through their week of work experience.

But beyond all these impressive experiences, what stood out the most was the happiness, warmth, and camaraderie they brought with them. They made people smile, they connected with others, and they left a lasting impression. These shared moments of friendship truly doubled the joy for everyone involved. And while it’s always hard to say goodbye, it’s not forever – our Year 10 students will be heading to France during the spring holidays to reunite with their friends and continue building on those special bonds.

The French Department would like to thank everyone who made this year’s exchange a success – the students, their families, our fantastic friends at Viala Lacoste, and most of all, the dedicated team here at Girton. Your support and care are what make these experiences possible. You understand that when our students are given these kinds of opportunities, they don’t just participate – they thrive, they grow, and they flourish

In the same spirit of friendship, we would also like to take this opportunity to share some exciting news. Earlier this Term, we officially partnered with Alliance Française—a French Government organisation dedicated to promoting the French language and culture. This partnership strengthens Girton’s commitment to French and creates even more exciting opportunities for our students.

With the leadership of our Principal, we’ve already introduced French Immersion electives in cooking and theatre for our Year 7 and 8 students. And now, thanks to this partnership, in Term 4 of 2025 our students will have the chance to pursue their passions through a new French co-curricular programme – that will deepen their connection to the language and culture. With the support of Alliance Française, we’re proud to bring a little more of France to Bendigo, further cementing Girton’s leadership in promoting languages in our region.

As we reflect on the incredible experiences of this exchange, it’s clear that the connections formed here are more than just cultural – they’re deeply human. They remind us that despite the distance between our countries, we share the same values of friendship, curiosity, and mutual respect.

So as we say au revoir for now, let it be with full hearts and the knowledge that these friendships will continue to grow – across borders, across time, and across cultures.

If you would like to participate in a future exchange, or host an exchange student, please don’t hesitate to contact Mme Ryan and/or Ms Liz Blanks. We would love for more families to be part of this enriching experience.

Merci all once again for being part of this journey.

The French Department

2025 Senior School Formal:Chateau de Versailles

The 2025 Senior Formal was an unforgettable evening for students in Years 10, 11, and 12, who gathered for a night of fun, friendship, and dancing at All Seasons. The enchanting theme of 'Chateau de Versailles' set the perfect backdrop for more than 300 attendees, including students and staff.

The celebration kicked off with the lively hosting of School Vice-Captains Chelsea White (12 Riley) and Basil Elkomos (12 Frew), who ensured the crowd was entertained throughout the night. School Captains Harvey Lakey (12 Frew) and Nandini Gangaram (12 Aherne) added to the excitement with an engaging awards segment, recognising categories like 'Best Dance Moves of the Night' and 'MVP Award for the Friendliest Student.'

DJing duties were skillfully handled by Aiden Trotter (12 Jones), Emiel Van Bree (12 Millward), and Ruby Banks (12 Jenkin), prompting everyone to hit the dance floor. Meanwhile, the photo booth became a favourite spot for friends to capture special memories. The success of the event was made possible by the hard work of dedicated staff members who helped supervise and the Tech Team who created a wonderful atmosphere at the venue.

The 2025 Senior Formal was a night full of joy, dancing, and memories that will be cherished by all who attended.

Ms Kristi Mitchell

Alumni & Community Relations Manager

Year 7 Japanese: Origami

Today in our Japanese class, we did something a little different that was a lot of fun! We spent the lesson learning about and making origami, the Japanese art of paper folding. Our teacher gave us colourful paper and let us make whatever we wanted. At first, it was kind of hard for everyone, but by the end we had created lots of beautiful pieces, including frogs, butterflies, stars and many other cool things! Learning origami helped us understand more about Japanese culture, and it was a nice break from grammar worksheets and hiragana writing. Arigato ありがとう (thank you) to our Japanese teachers for organising this fun lesson. 

Alice McIntosh (7 Frew)

Emerging Athlete Program:Sports Excellence ProgramSemester 1 Testing Wrap-Up

Over the past few weeks, students in the Year 5–8 Emerging Athlete Program received their Semester 1 Performance Testing Reports — a significant milestone in our efforts to develop well-rounded young athletes.

As part of this process, students were introduced to a range of physical performance tests designed to assess key athletic qualities:

• Dead Hang (Muscular Endurance)
• Seated Basketball Throw (Upper Body Power)
• Broad Jump (Lower Body Power)
• 20m Sprint (Speed and Acceleration)

The data collected was used to generate a radar graph for each student, showing how their performance stacked up against others in their year level and gender. This not only helps students understand their current strengths and areas for growth but also introduces them to the concept of data-informed athletic development.

As coaches, we were thrilled by the energy and competitiveness students brought to testing, but what generated the most excitement was the Predicted Adult Height metric! Using the Khamis-Roche method, students received an estimate of their adult height, a fun and informative addition that gives us valuable insight into their growth and development timelines.

This data plays a critical role in shaping our programming. Heading into Semester 2, we’ll be using this information to further personalise training plans to better support each athlete’s development journey.

We’re incredibly proud of the students' efforts and look forward to seeing their continued progress in the back half of the year!

An example of the testing report can be seen below.

If you would like to enrol your son/ daughter in the program for Semester 2, please complete the form at this link.

Have a safe and happy holiday.

Mr Ben Furphy & the SEP team

Visit from AFLW Essendon Players

Girton has been lucky enough to have a visit from Essendon's AFLW players, who came to speak to some of our young athletes on nutrition, overcoming injuries and life as an athlete in general. Finishing the afternoon with a kick of the footy, we are super grateful for these players sharing their knowledge and time!

Co-Connecting with the Community:

Year 7 and 10 Create Food Packs for Bendigo Foodshare.

Last week, students from Year 7 and Year 10 came together to support the local community through a hands-on service initiative: creating food packs for Bendigo Foodshare. This student-led project was part of the school’s broader commitment to community engagement and social responsibility.

During a Co-Connect session on Wednesday, students brought in donations of non-perishable food items such as pasta, rice, canned vegetables, soups, and long-life milk. Working in teams, they sorted, packed, and labelled each parcel, ensuring it would be practical and useful for families experiencing food insecurity in the Bendigo region.

The initiative was designed not only to provide much-needed supplies to Bendigo Foodshare, but also to raise awareness among students about food poverty and the role local charities play in supporting vulnerable community members. Many students were surprised to learn how many families in their own region rely on food relief.

Bendigo Foodshare will distribute the student-prepared food packs through their network of charities and community organisations.

The success of the food pack initiative is a testament to what young people can achieve when they come together with a shared goal — showing that compassion, kindness, and community spirit are alive and well among the next generation. Thank you to the Girton community for supporting this important initiative and making a real difference to the lives of those in need in our region.

Year 8 brings a little Sunshine to our Community

In an inspiring show of initiative and community spirit, Year 8 students are preparing to run a school-wide fundraiser in support of Sunshine Bendigo, a local organisation that assists families experiencing hardship. Glenda Serpell, the founder of Sunshine Bendigo, came to speak with the Year 8 cohort during a Co-Connect session, inspiring the students to make a difference and get involved.

As part of the school’s Sunshine Festival, taking place in Week 2 of Term 3 (Tuesday 29 July), four Year 8 classes will host their own activity to raise money. There will be competitions, a raffle, food stalls and the annual Girton Big Freeze! The festival promises a fun and festive atmosphere with a powerful purpose. Two Year 8 classes will run an event at the Junior School in Weeks 2 and 3 (details to be confirmed).

Funds raised will go directly to Sunshine Bendigo, which provides essential items such as clothing and household goods to local families doing it tough. The organisation has been a lifeline for many, and students were keen to contribute in a way that was both engaging and impactful.

This initiative helps students build practical skills while deepening their awareness of social issues. The planning process has involved collaboration, budgeting, advertising, and leadership — all within a real-world context that gives learning meaning beyond the classroom.

The Sunshine Festival promises to be a highlight of Term 3 — not only for the fun and colour it will bring, but for the kindness and generosity it inspires.

Together, the Year 8 students are proving that small actions — when shared — can bring sunshine to many.

Year 9 Challenge the Homelessness Crisis in Australia

Not to be outdone, our Year 9s have also been busy planning fundraising events to support local homelessness charities. With a strong sense of purpose and compassion, each Year 9 group has taken on the challenge of designing and running their own initiative to raise awareness and funds for people experiencing homelessness in Bendigo.

Kicking things off, Year 9 Frew held a hugely successful Bake Sale on Monday, 23 July, raising an impressive $672. The funds will go directly towards purchasing backpack beds — portable, weatherproof sleeping units that offer immediate relief to people sleeping rough in our region. The students worked collaboratively to bake, price, and sell a wide range of treats, with queues forming throughout the lunchtime break.

Other Year 9 groups are now following suit, with plans for a number of exciting events in Term 3 — stay tuned! Each event reflects the unique interests and talents of the group behind it, and all are united by the shared goal of helping some of Bendigo’s most vulnerable residents.

All proceeds raised will be donated to local homelessness support services, helping to provide basic needs, emergency supplies, and pathways to stability for people doing it tough.

As the fundraising efforts continue across the term, the Year 9 cohort is proving that when young people are given the opportunity to lead, their impact can be both powerful and personal

Upcoming Fundraisers & Events