News

Premiers’s VCE Awards 2008

Once again, Ballarat Grammar students have received a gratifying number of Premier’s Awards. We continue to win more Premier’s Awards than any other secondary school in Ballarat. These are given to students in recognition of exceptional achievement in their final year (Units 3 and 4) studies.
Students from 2007 who have been recognised in this way were:

• Amy Haywood: Studio Arts
• Sarah Haywood: Studio Arts
• Harriet Leadbetter: Agricultural and Horticultural Studies
• Jessica Lisle: Studio Arts
• Benjamin Werner: Agricultural and Horticultural Studies

We heartily congratulate these young people and their teachers on the very hard work that these awards recognise.

ANZAC Commemoration 2008

Students, Old Grammarians, Eileen Lawrie and Peter Heinz, new Chairman of the Board, the Hon. Rob Knowles, new President of the Old Grammarians, Geoff Miller and a number of other welcome guests, including the Creswick RSL/Blue Light Light Horse Troop, participated in a simple remembrance service on the 24th of April, under the golden autumn leaves on the lawns in front of Dart House. Here is a brief excerpt from what students had to say:

".... this year we would also like remember members of the School family – not so far removed from us in terms of age and interest, hopes and dreams, who experienced the trauma of war – a number of them tragically never to return to their friends and families. In the School Archives and in the memories of those who shared with them often happy days at either the boys' or girls' Grammar Schools, remarkable stories exist, a very small number of which we would like to share with you.

Honour rolls commemorate the men and women of Ballarat Grammar and Queen's in both world wars and we salute those who have given of themselves in the service of their country in subsequent conflicts, but today we would like to particularly remember a number of remarkable stories from World War 2."

Others went on to outline the tragic stories of Felix Craig, Ted Suffren and Arnold "Joey" Carter, all of whom died on active service in World War 2.

A vocal quartet sang an exquisite version of John McCrae's "In Flanders Field" and students pipers and drummers lead the official party and the "Troopers" to the Memorial Gates for the laying of wreaths from each of the Houses and from the Old Grammarians. Aram

A solo piper played the lament, "The Flowers of the Forest".

A top score tops off outstanding 2007 VCE results

Congratulations to all Year 12s of 2007!

• Ballarat’s top VCE ENTER score was achieved by one our 2007 Year 12s
• Four other students recorded ENTERS above 99 and 17 were above 95
• Eight study scores of 50 (the highest obtainable) were achieved – four in Studio Arts, and one in each of Biology, English, Physical Education and Agricultural and Horticultural Studies. Once again, this was the greatest number of ‘perfect scores’ in any Ballarat school
• Scores of 45 and above were achieved in Agricultural and Horticultural Studies, Art, Biology, Business Management, Drama, English, Further Mathematics, Specialist Mathematics, Physical Education, Psychology, Studio Arts, Systems Technology, Visual Communication and Design, Literature, Design and Technology and English Language
• One student has been invited to audition for TOP CLASS on the basis of her outstanding Solo Performance Exam (Drama)
• Three students’ work has been selected for the TOP DESIGN exhibition
• Three students’ work has been selected for the TOP ARTS exhibition
• 83% of our students gained entry into tertiary courses that were their first or second preferences
• 56 students were offered courses at either the University of Melbourne or Monash University
• Excellent VCE results across the Year 12 cohort were achieved by students who also fully involved themselves in sport, music, drama and both local and international community service
• Yet again, we are confident that diverse opportunities taken up by our students over the course of their years at Ballarat Grammar will provide a springboard for their equally diverse academic, professional and personal journeys

 

Early Learning Centre curriculum reflections

Intending to spend some time outdoors in the relative cool of the morning (and before the descent of the predicted heat), we started our session with a walk on the oval. What a delightful surprise to see the sprinklers beckoning us from afar! Needless to say, resistance was useless and we found ourselves enjoying an almost forgotten pastime of running under the sprinkler!

The children then quietly observed a mother magpie feed her baby and chatted about when they were babies.

A story in "Kit's Garden". watching workmen put up a marquee and then... an icy surprise!

"Look it's our Kinder tent!" said the children as they workmen put up a recognised the School logo - such a wonderful sense of belonging!

...School dining room staff offered us icy poles! Thanks Phill! A cool treat on this very hot day.

How fortunate we are in the ELC to be able to fulfil our goals for the children such as extending pragmatic language skills (expressive and receptive communication, as listed in the portfolios), pro-social skills, self-confidence, independence, risk-taking and a sense of belonging in such a flexible, social, joyful and meaningful ways.

• Learning occurs all the time and is affected by the context in which it occurs.
• Learning is more effective when information is embedded in purposeful and meaningful experiences.
• Learning is a process of making meaning of the world.
• Learning is profoundly influenced by social relationships.
• Learning is significantly affected by emotions. (Ballarat Grammar School Learning, Teaching and Assessing Framework).

 

New Year, new classes, new classrooms

The 2008 return to School was an exciting time for staff and students - Junior School and Senior School. The upper primary classes in the Junior School are now enjoying the next phase of the Carn Brae classrooms, computer centre, library extension and enhanced learning areas. All secondary classes and most staff studies have moved location as the Year 12s have moved into their own Seddon Centre for Senior Studies, Years 7 and 8 into the cleverly adapted Queen's Wing and Year 10 joins Year 11 in the Cleaver Wing - with an enlarged Common Room space.

The peaceful and purposeful atmosphere of the Seddon Centre, named for the late Professor George Seddon, Old Grammarian, environmentalist and something of a polymath, complements the energy of the Cleaver Wing and the independent spaces that are now occupied by Years 7 and 8 on their respective levels in the old Year 10 area.

We congratulate the Operations Staff especially for the extraordinary efforts they made over the Summer break to ensure that renovations and relocations of such magnitude could be achieved in so timely and efficient a manner!

 

Facts, figures and funding (AISV)

Independent schools have the highest post-compulsory retention rates of any sector. More than 40 per cent of Victoria’s Year 11 and 12 students attend non-government schools, compared with 32 per cent of all Victorian students. More Information

 

Well done Junior School Students!

At our final Term 3 Assembly in the WCPA certificates were presented to students, for their achievements in the Westpac Mathematics Awards. I am delighted to report that almost half the participating students received either a Credit, Distinction or High Distinction award. This is an outstanding achievement, given that this competition is mostly used by schools for their more talented mathematicians, whereas we have our entire Year 4 and 6 cohorts participate. Congratulations to all students for their efforts, which contributed to very high average scores at every level.

Hard on the heels of these comes the Achievement Improvement Monitor (AIM) results for Years 3 and 5 for 2007. I am again delighted to advise that our students at these levels, in all aspects of Literacy and Numeracy tested, have again achieved significantly above the State average scores. We are further delighted by the positively strong data trends, evident over the last five years, which continue to help shape our curriculum initiatives and practices. Furthermore, the comparative data from 2005 reveals that, overall, students are developing at better than expected rates. (Gordon Forrest)

 

Events

Cross Country Results

36 students from Ballarat Grammar travelled to LaTrobe University to contest the Victorian Schools Road Relay Championships. With over 40 teams in some age groups, Ballarat Grammar students performed exceptionally well with most teams coming in the top half of the field. This helped Ballarat Grammar secure 4th place in the Overall Boys Aggregate and 3rd place in the Co-education Shield with only 2 points separating us from 2nd place. Congratulations to all students involved and especially to the Under 16 boys’ team which placed 2nd in the under 16, 4 x 2000m relay. Over 44 teams contested this division so their results are exceptional. The Under 18 Boys are now the Victorian Champions, defeating Xavier College by 1 second in a thrilling sprint finish.

Ballarat Grammar will be sending teams to the Victorian Schools Cross Country Championships next term and looks to be in a great position to defend the Victorian Co-educational Shield it won at this event last year.

 

Cows Create Careers Program

In late Term 2, the Year 10 Agriculture class travelled to Terang, near Camperdown, for the ‘Cows Create Careers’, South West Region presentation day. This year there were over 3500 students and 115 Schools involved across Victoria, NSW, South Australia and Tasmania. The program, supported by the Dairy Industry, supplies young dairy calves to schools for 3 weeks. Students form teams, look after and feed the calves and then submit reports, posters, letters and a PowerPoint presentation for judging. For the third year in a row, a team from Ballarat Grammar took out first place in the Senior School division, against 27 other teams in the South West Region. The students collected a show bag containing industry related prizes and $100 each. All four Ballarat Grammar teams then combined to take out the Winning Senior School title, and were awarded a plaque and $500 for the school.

 

Dressage Championships 2008

The Results for the Dressage Competition are now available.

Final Results can be downloaded via this link in PDF format.

The Draw for the Dressage Competition has now been completed.

Draw results can be downloaded via this link in Excel 2003 format.

 

National Rowing Championships

Our Boys' and Girls' First and Second Crews recently travelled to the National Rowing Championships held at the Sydney International Rowing Course at Penrith.

Both boys' crews competed in the School Boy Four with the Boys' First Crew also competing in the Under 19 Four. Both crews competed well in a field of 20 entries. The Boys' Seconds won the C Final posting a time quicker than the St Patricks Seconds and the High School Firsts. The Boys' Firsts missed out on a Bronze Medal to St Pat's by 0.03sec (about an inch) in the School Boys' Fours Final and also placed fourth behind them in the Under 19 final.

The girls crews joined together to compete in the Under 19 Eight with the Girls' Firsts also competing in School Girls' Fours. The girls rowed well in the eight, just missing out on a berth in the final in a very strong field. The Girls' First crew competed very strongly in the School Girls, Fours, winning the Bronze Medal in a fast final, being beaten by Fahan School (Tas) and BCC.

 

Head of the Lake

Saturday 16th February, 2008 saw spectators and rowers greatly appreciated the benefits of the Barwon River as the course for this year's Head of the Lake, although we are all hoping that we will return to Lake Wendouree at some point not too far away!

Once again, against extraordinary odds, coaches, parents and the redoubtable Bradd Denham managed to prepare a large, committed and skillful squad of rowers for this very exciting day. To all our volunteers and to the dedicated workers of the Vikings' Club, the thanks of all our student rowers are due.

Both Girls' and Boys' First Crews were placed second after a gallant and close contest and the results across all divisions are worthy of celebration. We entered 20 crews and scored 8 first places, 10 seconds and 2 thirds. Congratulations go especially to the girls who won their aggregate yet again.

Very best wishes to our girls crews which will now go on to the Head of Schoolgirls' Regatta and our Boys' and Girls' First ad Second Crews who will compete at the National Rowing Championships.

 

Recognition of outstanding service.

The Ballarat Committee of the Australian College of Educators presented their Senior Education Award to Mr. John Miller at a Civic Reception held at the Ballarat Town Hall on Thursday 7th February, to celebrate Education Week 2008.

Mr. Miller's commitment to the governance and growth of Ballarat Grammar as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the past 29 years has been nothing short of remarkable and it is fitting that his contribution to the School and wider community should be recognised by a body such as this.

Along with our congratulations, we offer our sincere thanks to Mr. Miller as he continues his wise and selfless service to the education of "generations" of our young people.