Senior School News

From the Head of Character and Culture

As we move past the midpoint of the term, there has been much to celebrate across the Senior School community.

Last weekend, 185 of our students proudly represented the School through their involvement in the annual Red Shield Appeal, supporting the important work of The Salvation Army within the wider community. We sincerely thank all students who volunteered their time across the weekend, demonstrating compassion, generosity, and a strong commitment to service. We also extend our gratitude to the many families who supported students in participating in this worthwhile initiative.

We would also like to thank students and families for the seamless transition to winter uniform. It has been pleasing to see students presenting so well and maintaining the high standards that make us so proud to be part of the Girton community. As a reminder, all students are expected to now be in full Formal Uniform Suite, including wearing blazers to and from school each day, ensuring shirts remain tucked in throughout the day, and only wearing one small earring or stud in one or both earlobes.

Next week, students in Years 7–11 will commence Examination Week. For many of our Year 7 students, this will be their first experience undertaking extended assessments in a formal examination setting. While exams can naturally bring some nerves and uncertainty, they allow students to demonstrate their understanding, identify areas for growth, and continue developing the study habits and resilience needed for future learning.

Families can play an important role in supporting students during this time by helping to create calm study environments, encouraging healthy routines and sleep habits, assisting with time management, and offering reassurance and encouragement throughout the process.

We wish all students the very best for next week’s examinations.

Mr Marcus Smalley

Head of Character and Culture

Year 7 Literature: Student Poetry

Poetry gives students a unique space to express their thoughts, emotions and experiences in ways that everyday writing cannot. We are delighted to share a number of poems that display the voice and imagination of our Year 7 Literature students.

Mrs Caryn Clark

Senior Teacher of English and Literature

Order in the classroom - and the courtroom

Students from four Legal Studies classes across Years 10, 11 and 12 recently took part in a series of excursions to the Bendigo Law Courts. Accompanied by Ms French, Mr Vehlen and Mrs Naughton, students walked to the courts where they toured the complex, experienced the extensive security screening process, and visited the Magistrates’, Koori and County Courts.

Students also had the opportunity to observe live proceedings in the Magistrates’ Court, providing a valuable insight into courtroom processes and legal procedures. During their visit to the County Court, students stepped into the roles of barristers, the accused and even the judge, gaining a hands-on understanding of how court proceedings operate. The excursions strongly supported student learning throughout the semester, bringing classroom concepts to life through real-world experience of the justice system in action.

Ms Katie French

Head of Humanities

Music lifts Girton Open Day

Congratulations to all students and staff for the extraordinary music-making that filled Girton's annual Open Day last Thursday. Over three wonderful hours, music poured from students and staff, creating a vibrant and enriching showcase for visiting families. Across the morning, we welcomed 97 visitors across 38 family groups to tour our Junior and Senior School campuses.

The performances began with our Year 10 VCE Music students playing the festive Oye Como Va by Carlos Santana, followed by Zara Larsson’s Midnight Sun. The Year 12 Jazz Band captivated audiences with their smooth grooves, expressive improvisations and a stunning five-part a cappella rendition of Moon River. The Django Guitar Ensemble delighted with a spirited performance of Cissy Strut by The Meters, while the Flute Ensemble performed beautiful arrangements from the French film Amélie and Kass’ Theme from Breath of the Wild. Our Year 9 Ensemble brought warmth and nostalgia with In My Life by The Beatles and Cyndi Lauper’s Time After Time.

We were also delighted to feature more than 40 soloists from Years 8–10, plus our VCE Music Performance students, throughout the morning.

I am incredibly proud of the musical ability and commitment shown by our students, and deeply grateful to all music staff who supported rehearsals and performances in the lead-up and on the day itself. A special thank you to our wonderful piano accompanist Ms Long, and to ensemble directors Mr O’Hern (Django Guitar Ensemble), Mr Martin (Year 9 Ensemble), Mr Turpie (Year 10 Ensemble), Ms Krois (Flute Ensemble), and Mr Pennington (Year 12 Jazz Band). Thank you to all instrumental staff for their ongoing support of our soloists and ensembles.

The response from prospective families visiting Girton on the day was unanimously positive. Thank you also to our students who hosted tours and represented the school with such poise, warmth and positivity.

Ms Min Hunter

Head of Senior Music

Inter-House Public Speaking Competition

The annual Inter-House Public Speaking Competition took place in Week 5 during Co-Connect, with House representatives from each year level elected by their House to present on a topic.

Year 7 - Money is more important than happiness.
Year 8 - Celebrities have a responsibility to be role models.
Year 9 - Smartphones are doing more harm than good.
Year 10 - Social media is responsible for rising mental health issues.
Year 11 - Australia should change the date of Australia Day.
Year 12 - After 75 years, the Australia-US alliance is still in our national interest.

The winners will be announced at Principal’s Assembly on Tuesday 9th June.

One of our speakers, Anaïs Lyons (7 Frew) presented a compelling argument on the topic Money is more important than happiness.

I decided to take the side that money is more important to a certain degree. A lot of people, when thinking about this topic go straight to 'happiness is more important'. I decided to take the side that money can assist very much in daily life. It was an awesome experience to talk about my opinions, to share them with other Year 7s. I was nervous but once I got into it, I slowed down and enjoyed speaking. I'm so grateful to Mme Ryan, Mr Langan, and 7 Frew for letting me represent them.

Anaïs Lyons (7 Frew)

Full speed ahead for Girton Racing Team

Last Friday, all 45 members of the Girton Racing Team headed to Bendigo Saleyards to participate in the Bendigo Energy Breakthrough Test ‘n’ Tune day. With great weather and a great track for all our learner drivers, as well as being small enough to keep it safe but large enough to keep it interesting, the Girton Racing Team overall had an excellent day, making up a quarter of the trikes on the track.

It gave our older students an opportunity to tinker with the trikes, tuning them up just right in preparation for our next race, and our less experienced drivers valuable on-track experience.

Additionally, one of our students, Henry, was recognise by EB for his dedication to the electric vehicles, particularly showing off his ESC boxes on Instragram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYvw43MqQ21/

Students helped out in all aspects of the day, with some of us getting around with cameras, marshal flags, and of course our trusty helmets and cleats. We’d also like to thank Miss Loraine for escorting us, Kyle for his help with the trikes and willingness to learn about them, and Julian for giving up a workday to provide us with technical expertise - it’s great to see so many people getting involved, and you can too!

Miss Jessica Loraine

Senior School Teacher of Science

Staff Member in Charge (SMC) - Girton Racing Team

Year 10 students explore future pathways at Tomorrow Bound Careers Expo

Year 10 students attended the Tomorrow Bound Careers Expo at the Bendigo Showgrounds, engaging with representatives from universities, TAFEs, training organisations, defence forces and employers from a variety of sectors. Interactive displays and presentations allowed students to ask questions and begin thinking about the pathways that best align with their interests, strengths and aspirations.

Staff accompanying the students were impressed with the mature and positive manner in which students engaged with exhibitors and participated in discussions. The experience was an important step in supporting students as they begin making decisions about subject selections and future career goals.

Girton takes to the dressage arena at Gisborne

On the 15th of May, Leah Pickering (9 Millward) and I both competed at the first ever Independent Country Co-Educational Schools (ICCES) dressage event in Gisborne. Having never been to the venue, I was looking forward to taking my horse somewhere new and getting another opportunity to wear the school colours.

It ended up being a lovely day and venue and very well organised by the host school, Bacchus Marsh Grammar, and good ground to ride on. I competed in the Junior Novice section, however a previous injury created some issues, meaning we ended up withdrawing from the second class.

It was great to see so many of the ICCES schools getting out and competing, and I would highly recommend the event to anyone else for next year - also a big thanks to Mrs James for coming along and supporting, and to Jody and Hilary for taking the team only a bit over a week after our own interschools dressage competition!

Annika Hall (9 Riley)

Year 10 reflections: Work experience

Each year, our Year 10 students step into the world of work, and each year, they return with stories that remind us just how capable and curious they are. This year's work experience placements took students from Melbourne courtrooms to creative studios, from allied health clinics to world-class costume workshops. We share some of their reflections here.

Hazel Ziffer (10 Jones) – Law and Advocacy Centre for Women (LACW). I completed my work experience placement at the Law and Advocacy Centre for Women (LACW) in Carlton, Melbourne. During my placement, I was able to observe a lawyer in court, which was an awesome experience! I also helped with paperwork and research for the lawyers, paralegals, and social workers. I think for me the hardest part of work experience was having to sit at a computer for ages! I found having to work for a long time on a repetitive task boring at times, but overall, I loved the work. Over the course of my placement, I learnt a lot; how the Victorian legal system works, how people access legal aid, the kind of work lawyers and paralegals do, and what working life is like. My favourite part of work experience was probably the people I worked with. Everyone. was so friendly and welcoming, and they really helped me to understand their work, and what they do. I stayed in Melbourne with family and caught public transport to work each day, which I really enjoyed, and it gave me a helpful insight in to working life. Overall, I loved my work experience and would really recommend it to anyone else who wants to work in a similar field.

Mia Bishop (10 Jones) – Victorian College of the Arts (VCA)

I completed my work experience at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA), in the textiles department, where I helped out with small jobs around the workplace. I also had the opportunity to create some of my own clothes with the help of my host employer and other staff members, as well as up cycling some T-shirts. I also attended a meeting for the upcoming production. The most challenging part of my work experience was learning how to use the sewing machine as I hadn't used it much before. Overall, I enjoyed my work experience and learnt a lot about the different work environment and tasks, and the staff were very welcoming and supportive.

Arlo Dimsey (10 Jenkin) – Health Actions Castlemaine

I observed consultations with patients of podiatry, physiotherapy and exercise physiology. I assisted in the running of multiple exercise physiology classes and gained insights into the knowledge and experience required to work in a private practice. The most challenging part of my placement was understanding the advanced anatomical knowledge involved in physiotherapy allowing physios to give optimal advice for young, middle aged and elderly patients. I learned that often private practitioners of physiotherapy and podiatry manage not only physical activity and health but also mental health and beliefs especially for the elderly striving to maintain fitness and movement capability. The hosts of my work experience were very welcoming as well as honest to me regarding internal management of an independent medical practice. They allowed me to observe as many patients as they could which allowed me to understand the diversity of patients that rely of a rural practitioner for peace of mind and maintenance of health.

Eva Lees (10 Aherne) – Storyland

I completed my work experience at Storyland, a small creative consultancy company in Castlemaine. During my time there I completed a variety of jobs including designing posters, photographing a campaign event, and helping with day-to-day studio tasks such as making coffees. The most challenging project was creating website banners for an event. I had to learn the ins and outs of Adobe Indesign and match the design to other media. This job took longer than I expected, but in the end, it turned out well. From my experience at Storyland I learned many new skills including using new programs, how to interact with clients, and understanding more about how smaller businesses run. A highlight of my work experience was going to an analogue music recording studio in Castlemaine and doing videography for a musician recording there. It was an incredible experience and I had lots of fun!

Hear from the students in the 2026 Girton Senior School Production, The Crucible

Girton's Senior School performers are two weeks away from bringing Arthur Miller's The Crucible to the stage of the Black Box Theatre. Set in 1692 Salem, a group of girls led by Abigail Williams spark panic after being caught dancing in the woods.

To avoid punishment, they accuse others of witchcraft, triggering mass hysteria and a series of trials. John Proctor, tries to expose the truth, but the court, driven by fear and false accusations, turns against him and others. As innocent people are arrested and executed, Proctor ultimately refuses to give a false confession to save his life, choosing integrity and truth over survival.

Based on the events that occurred in 17th century Salem, The Crucible highlights its themes through intense emotion and dramatic tension to show how fear and power can corrupt truth and community. Last tickets available here.

Angus Cuthbertson (11 Jones), as John Proctor

I play John Proctor in the Senior School production of The Crucible, the titular farmer and male lead of the play. My experience with this role so far has been very varied, as the stresses of learning lines contrast with the immense amount of fun I've been having with the rehearsal process, I've found the process for putting together a play to be remarkably different than musicals that I have been a part of in the past. The difference is thrilling as I take time to learn my lines and my character, while having the space on stage to develop my acting skills and show ranges of emotions and expression on stage. Running scenes has been a highlight of my year so far, there's really nothing quite like truly finding a character and developing them on stage. I cannot wait for opening night, the addition of an audience in my experience only amplifies the emotional thrill of acting live on stage, and I cannot wait to show the wider community all the work we've put in to make a wonderfully captivating stage performance.

Matilda Lovett (12 Riley), as Abigail Williams

My role in the crucible is Abigail Williams, the primary antagonist who is the manipulative accuser of witchcraft in the town of Salem. I have loved exploring the nuances of the character and her motivations behind spreading mass hysteria. Over the past two terms I have found it incredibly rewarding to develop my character and explore different acting choices in scenes. It has been so much fun getting to know the cast and creating lasting friendships. I am so excited to finally have an audience to perform to and can’t wait to see the show come to life on stage.

Girton Big Band performs for Junior School

The Girton Big Band took to the stage at Junior School Assembly on 22 May for their first performance of the year, entertaining students with lively renditions of Sesame Street and The Incredibles.

As well as showcasing their musical talents, the band introduced Junior School students to the unique instrumentation of a traditional big band, which differs from the ensembles currently rehearsing at the Junior School. Students heard the powerful combination of saxophones, trumpets, trombones and rhythm section instruments working together to create the distinctive big band sound.

Cross-campus performance opportunities such as this play an important role in strengthening connections across the school community. They provide younger students with the chance to see where their musical journey could lead, while giving older students the opportunity to inspire and mentor the next generation of performers.

Year 5 and 6 students were encouraged to continue their musical journey into Senior School, with the exciting possibility that one day they too could be invited to play in the Girton Big Band.

Mrs Ashleigh Yates

Senior School Teacher of Music | Instrumental Music Instructor

Girton finishes strong at ICCES Athletics

On Thursday the 14th of May, over 70 Girton students proudly represented the school at the ICCES Athletics Carnival, held at Lakeside Stadium in Albert Park. Students are selected for this event based on their performances at the Senior School Athletics Carnival, earning the opportunity to compete against other schools within our association. As with our own carnival, every result contributes to the overall school points tally, alongside individual honours such as year level and age group champions.

It was a fantastic day of competition, highlighted by close finishes, personal bests, podium performances and several event victories. Girton delivered an outstanding performance, finishing third overall - just 77.5 points behind second-placed Goulburn Valley Grammar!

Final Placings:

Ballarat Grammar -1,830.5
Goulburn Valley Grammar - 1,511.5
Girton Grammar School – 1,434
Braemar College - 1,407
Bacchus Marsh Grammar - 1,373
Moama Anglican Grammar - 1,167
Hamilton & Alexandra College - 890
Highview College - 664

This was an incredible team effort, with many students achieving exceptional individual success.

Age Champions:

Alexis Weekley – Year 7 Girls
Otto Chapman – Year 7 Boys
Maddy Beaton – Year 10 Girls
Sophie Mahony - Year 10 Girls
Scout Davies & Kenny Ryan - Year 8 Boys

Wait, what’s that…. additional Age Champions?!

Yes, that’s right! After the organisers double checked the results, they noticed a further THREE Girton students who were on equal points as the original year level champions. And they are….

Sophie Mahony - Year 10 Girls
Scout Davies & Kenny Ryan - Year 8 Boys

Several Girton athletes also set new records:

Alexis Weekley (Year 7 Girls):

Long Jump - 5.02m
100m - 13.29seconds
Triple Jump - 9.98m

Scout Davies (Year 8 Boys):

Discus - 31.12m

Students who placed first in their events will now represent Girton and ICCES in the VSAC Athletics Championships in Term 4. Being selected is an outstanding achievement in itself.

The support, encouragement, and team spirit displayed both in victory and defeat were a true reflection of Girton values. A sincere thank you also to the staff who attended and supported the event, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for all involved.

We look forward to seeing you at the next sporting event.

The Representative Sports Department

VSAC Swimming Championships

On Monday the 11th of May, eight students proudly represented Girton and ICCES at the Victorian School Associations Competition (VSAC). For those unfamiliar, students who either win or record the fastest times at the ICCES Swimming Championships are selected to represent ICCES at VSAC, where they compete against the strongest school associations across Victoria. A prestigious event showcasing the very best swimmers in the state and simply qualifying is a significant achievement.

Participants and results were as follows:

Sophie Lee (7 Millward)

50m Butterfly - 6th (32.07)
50m Freestyle - 9th (30.44)
50m Breaststroke - 6th (38.58)
200m Medley Relay - 6th
4x50m Freestyle Relay - 10th

Ryan Guo (7 Riley)

Mixed 4x50m Freestyle Relay - 10th
4x50m Medley Relay - 10th
4x50m Freestyle Relay - 9th

Lauren Davenport (8 Jenkin)

4x50m Freestyle Relay - 10th
Open 4x50m Freestyle Relay - 11th
4x50m Breaststroke Relay - 12th
Mixed 200m Freestyle Relay - 10th
4x50m Medley Relay - 6th

Stephanie Ingram (11 Riley)

4x50m Medley Relay - 12th
4x50m Freestyle Relay - 11th

Seb Mansfield (11 Frew)

4x50m Freestyle Relay - 4th

Xavier Ough (11 Riley)

4x50m Freestyle Relay - 8th
4x50m Backstroke Relay - 7th
Open 4x50m Freestyle Relay - 10th
4x50m Medley Relay - 7th

Emma Pomeroy (9 Jones)

4x50m Medley Relay - 11th
4x50m Freestyle Relay - 8th
Mixed 4x50m Medley Relay - 9th

Azia Fong-Sutton (10 Aherne)

4x50m Medley Relay - 11th
4x50m Freestyle Relay - 8th
50m Butterfly - 4th (30.06)
50m Freestyle - 1st (27.05)
50m Backstroke - 1st (30.86)

As reflected in the results above, our students delivered outstanding performances across the board. A special congratulations to Azia Fong-Sutton for her exceptional achievements, finishing 1st in both the 50m Freestyle and 50m Backstroke.

Thank you to all students for their commitment and effort, and to the parents who made the trip to Melbourne to support the team. We look forward to another strong showing at the 2027 event.

The Representative Sport Department