Welcome to the OGA

In 2022, 103 Year 12 students joined the OGA. This is an outstanding uptake of the OGA Life Membership.

The OGA is delighted to welcome the following Year 12 members:

In December 2022, four staff members were welcomed into the OGA after receiving an Honorary Associate Life Membership for having worked at the School for 20 years.

Congratulations to Mrs Linda Arnel, Ms Lynden Francis-Wright, Mrs Carmel Hamilton and Miss Michelle Gilkes.

Board member Broughton Snell is also congratulated on serving 3 years on the Board and who has received an Associate Membership to the OGA.

We reflect on the outstanding service that Mrs Linda Arnel, Ms Lynden Francis-Wright, Mrs Carmel Hamilton and Miss Michelle Gilkes have given over the last 20 years.

Linda Arnel

Linda joined Girton in 2002, and has taught French, Indonesian and Psychology. Since the day she began, Linda has embraced many additional opportunities, often at late notice, and has held many roles over the years including:

Millward House Tutor
Co-Curricular – Dance (MiC), Production, Basketball, Bears n’ stuff (MiC), Curric Manager and Library Monitors
Head of Library

Linda is bilingual in both French and Indonesian. Linda oversees the Distance Education students and due to her vast knowledge of languages, she is able to assist most students with their work.

Linda establishes a productive classroom culture that encourages students to achieve their best. Linda also offers extra tutoring beyond classroom time to students who need extra support. She attended every Year 7 camp until last year, and was missed greatly at the 2021 camp as one of the First Aid staff – her knowledge and medical care of students over the years has been exceptional.

Linda was instrumental in overseeing the move of the Junior School Library and coordinated the majority of the Senior School library during the move from MacKenzie Street. Linda keeps the Senior School library stocked with the latest age-appropriate novels.

According to her colleagues, Linda exhibits honesty and integrity combined with a strong work ethic. She is considered self-motivated, approachable, a voice of reason, and has a magical calming influence on both students and staff. Linda is always willing to put aside resources a staff member may have asked for and search for new resources, even months after an initial query.

Mrs Linda Arnel, for twenty years of outstanding service to Girton Grammar School, we thank you.

Ms Lynden Francis-Wright

Since joining Girton in 2002, Lynden has embraced a number of roles with her trademark enthusiasm, including:

Teacher in Humanities, Japanese, Science
House Tutor – Jenkin
Assistant Head of House Jenkin
Boarding House Assistant
Head of Boarding House
Assistant Head of House
Homestay Liaison
Head of Riley House
Co-curriculum – Squash (MiC), Rowing (Assistant MiC), Yoga, Athletics, Karate, Energy Breakthrough Cycling

Curious and passionate by nature, Lynden is a thoughtful and caring educator with the best academic and social and emotional interests of her students in mind. Lynden makes learning fun, nurturing a positive learning environment in which students are curious explorers and happy to challenge themselves. Lynden knows each and every one of her students, taking the time and energy to build strong professional relationships with her young charges. As a result, students feel safe and supported in their learning.

Lynden was the driving force behind the development of the Girton Grammar School Energy Breakthrough Co-Curriculum, now known as the Girton Racing Team. Picking up the Co-curriculum in 2012 just one year after its inception, Lynden oversaw the development of a team of committed and generous parents, helping with the engineering, building, and maintenance of a growing fleet of Human Powered Vehicles (HPV). What resulted was an equally passionate, ever-growing team of students completely committed to the growth of their ‘club’ and competing in HPV race meetings. Lynden also oversaw the inception of Energy Efficient Vehicles (EEV). Her tireless work in steering the Energy Breakthrough Co-Curriculum remains a legacy today.

As Head of Riley House, colleagues said Lynden had ‘blue’ blood pumping through her veins. Staunchly competitive at Inter-House events, overtly proud and passionate about her House, Lynden is nothing short of caring and supportive of every single one of Riley staff and student members.

Lynden is an exceptional pastoral carer. She works tirelessly to establish wonderful relationships with her students and supports those who need it with much energy and bursting with pride when they achieve great things.

Ms Lynden Francis-Wright, for twenty years of outstanding service to Girton Grammar School, we thank you.

Miss Michelle Gilkes

Michelle joined Girton in 2002 as School Receptionist. After receiving a Certificate III in Business Administration in 2004 under an apprenticeship through Department of Education and Training, Michelle performed exceptionally in her role as Personal Assistant to Heads of House as well as Student Administration from 2004 to 2009.

Michelle was then appointed Personal Assistant to the Senior Master, which she has excelled in ever since, with a title change to Personal Assistant to Head of Academic and Staff Services in 2019. She is an active member of the Girton Staff Association.

Michelle was awarded the 2020 Board Prize for Particular Excellence (Administration). In being nominated for this Prize, Michelle’s peers said that her determination to get things right has driven her to work hard to become better at her job by seeking feedback from colleagues and constantly striving for ways to do things better.

Michelle is the first person to arrive each morning and the last to leave. No task is considered too small or great, from unstacking the dishwasher to co-ordinating examinations and high-level timetabling. With methodical attention to detail and a positive attitude, Michelle manages the whole-school timetable and VCE examinations, oversees the ACER data system, co-ordinates NAPLAN, booklists and year-level Information Evenings, and manages Reception when needed.

Fondly referred to as “the Oracle” by some members of staff, Michelle’s invaluable experience, knowledge, and ability to “get the job done” is highly valued by her colleagues. She is considered generous and thoughtful in many ways and always willing to assist others.

Ms Michelle Gilkes, for twenty years of outstanding service to Girton Grammar School, we thank you.

Mrs Carmel Hamilton

A specialised Physical Education teacher to Junior School and Senior School classes, Carmel exemplifies excellence within her chosen field of teaching. Carmel creates an environment where her students feel nurtured and valued and are thoroughly engaged. In speaking with parents and students, it is clear they hold Carmel in the highest regard.

Due to her exemplary work ethic over twenty years of teaching at Girton Grammar School, Carmel has raised the profile of Physical Education within the School and the community. Each year, Carmel leads the organisation of a number of sports events and carnivals, liaising with all parties to ensure they are executed to the highest quality.

Carmel works tirelessly each year to provide the Girton Netball students with an opportunity to represent the school to the best of their abilities. Carmel is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to Netball and under her guidance, many students have been selected to represent their community through the Bendigo Netball League. Netball Australia has also recognised Carmel’s coaching abilities.

Girton students were given the opportunity to travel internationally to New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia in recent years with Carmel instigating all tours. She provided hours of her time to ensure the tours ran smoothly, working with colleagues to prepare itineraries and risk management documentation and liaising with parents, students and other external stakeholders to ensure a seamless experience.

Carmel’s particular excellence in Netball has impacted staff, students and parents at Girton Grammar School during her time here. Carmel embraces each and every student teacher working with Girton’s Physical Education Department, mentoring them with care in all facets of teaching life. This mentoring role extends to her fellow colleagues as she guides all members in the Physical Education facility in an approachable and thoughtful manner.

Many students acknowledge the passion and support provided by Carmel as the reason for their own love of Netball.

Mrs Carmel Hamilton, for twenty years of outstanding service to Girton Grammar School, we thank you.