Keeping the Music Alive!

COVID may try and stop the music but at CGHS we have come up with ways to keep making music happen online.

Online Private Tuition

Yr 12 have continued to work on their repertoire for the upcoming performance exam. This year we are inviting students to perform live on Zoom or submit a video of their performances. Well done girls you have excelled in the most challenging of years.

Thank you to all our tutors who continue to deliver expert tuition to our students and provide a much needed creative outlet.

Uke Ensemble

With combined music ensembles stopping people were feeling the loss of performing music together. The Ukulele ensemble has been meeting every Tuesday lunch for play alongs, you don’t even have to have a ukulele, students have been grabbing guitars, keyboards or even cups to create music with. Animals are also welcome!

Breakout rooms for Stage 5 & 6 Music - practical lesson.

Elective Music students are getting to the pointy end of the term when their performances are due to be assessed. We are making the most of breakout rooms on Zoom to work in small groups, providing constructive feedback and the opportunity for student peer feedback similar to when we use practice rooms in school.

The Automation Intelligence Programme

In the Spotlight Dance Festival

Click this link to see the Junior Dance Company Performance at this years In the Spotlight Dance Festival.

Junior Dance Company: Samara Amendolia, Billie Anderson, Gabriella Brewster, Linh Cao, Joana Cemnolonskyte, Esther Clyde, Isla Edward, Mackenzie Hall, Elizabeth Hinder, Grace Johnson, Ayla Mandira, April-Maree Manivong, Maya Moore, Grace Paul, Yuma Rush, Chloe Thomas, Jasmine Wang and Mara-Anni Westwood.

Monday Assembly

At Monday Assembly in week 8, Mrs Andrews spoke about some ways to manage the challenges of the extended period of Learning from home. Here is a summary of her key messages:

As we continue through what is a lengthy period of time LFH people may be feeling isolated, unable to switch off and having difficulty staying motivated. To help overcome this, here are some tips

1. Manage your expectations! Be realistic, set realistic manageable goals.

2. Set up routine and structure for your school day and create boundaries between ‘school time’ and ‘home time’. Follow your timetable but have clear breaks where rest and exercise are built in. Make your bed every day and get dressed for school are ways of helping build routine but also help our brains switch between “home” and “school”.

3. Create a specific place in your home where you work (avoid your bedroom). Avoid working in your bedroom if possible. It will then become associated with being alert, awake and switched on.

4. Stay connected with friends by planning regular virtual or phone catch ups. Staying connected with others will help to reduce stress levels, feel less isolated and stay productive.

5. Try a digital detox in the evenings. Try a digital detox to help you switch off from school work, so you can spend quality time with your family, or do the things you want to do.

6. Prioritise your well-being. Limit and avoid negative and unhelpful media and misinformation. Try and get outside at least once a day. Go for a walk, get some fresh air, and sunshine. Do something which brings you joy like reading a book or listening to music. Acknowledge your feelings but focus on actions which are in your control.

7. Focus on the silver linings; the positives of a difficult or challenging situation. Working from home can have many benefits and improve productivity and reduce distractions. When you are feeling negative, think in “helpful” or optimistic ways and try to take each day as it comes.

School Gardens

Veges have been grown by the Sport Gardening group run by Cathy Jenkins. Jasmine, peach blossoms, native bush and Clivias blossoming in the school grounds.

Wellbeing Afternoons and Mindful Mondays

In weeks 9 and 10 of Term 3 we started Wellbeing Afternoons on Mondays and all are encouraged to make time away from screens and participate in the Mindful Monday activities sent out via email.

In week 9 the activities encouraged everyone to get enjoy some time outside in a mindful walk, also photographing, walking, sketching or writing.

In week 10 the Biteback program for young people aged 13-18 years is used, inviting you to take mental fitness challenge, do a mindfulness quiz and listen to some audio clips to support mindfulness.

Although this can be completed online, a copy was provided to print if preferred.

In Term 4 the wellbeing afternoons will continue while learning from home is in place. Activities can be completed at any suitable time. Year Advisers are reminding students in Year Meetings about the opportunity to use the mindfulness activities.

Wellbeing Resources

Support students during the HSC - Fact Sheet

The Education Knowledge Network (EKN) in the School of Education at Western Sydney University has started an initiative to support colleagues during this challenging period in their home-schooling efforts.

Academics within the School of Education have developed a number of fact sheets in their areas of expertise which we would like to share with schools in the hope that these might be of some assistance to families.

NSW HEALTH Team Resources

The following resources to support wellbeing have been distributed through our local NSW Health team, and there's some great apps to encourage mindfulness, which has been the focus of our Wellness Afternoons in weeks 9 and 10. Also included is an "isolation" pack aimed at giving some ideas and advice about how to manage your time if/when a period of self isolation is required. This could be useful during the upcoming school holidays when the usual daily timetable of classes won't apply. In Assembly in week 10 it was suggested to all students that following some scheduled events and routines is advised through the holiday period, to give some structure to the fortnight, eg: daily exercise or movement, time away from the screen such as cooking, craft or art, colouring, jigsaws, music, writing, and time outdoors whenever possible for sunshine and fresh air.

Reminders, P&C & Community News

P&C Dates

Parents and Citizens

Cantabrian Girls Ex-Students' Association

Canterbury Earlwood Caring Association School Holiday

Belmore Youth Resource Centre