Dear CGS Alumni community,
As a School community, we have been navigating through uncertain and challenging times. No doubt we will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. In that context, we are all the more grateful for the support that so many have given to our community both within the School and as a part of our Alumni network.
We have, unfortunately, been unable to enjoy so much of the co-curricular and sporting life that characterises our School, including camps and concerts, many of which I am sure you have fond memories of. This has also been on top of dealing with the challenges of remote learning. We have now returned to on-campus attendance and welcomed back students for Term 3 this week.
Our aim throughout bushfires, smoke and pandemic has always been to maintain the best possible continuity of care and education for every student, regardless of the hardships that their families have been facing. Likewise, we’ve sought to keep staff employed and maintain the School’s momentum of development in the knowledge that these tough times won’t last forever.
We remain as equally committed to our broader community, too. While we continue to adapt to the dynamic environment that has been 2020, we, unfortunately, do not expect to be able to offer any Alumni Reunions this year.
We are pleased, however, to publically launch our CGS Alumni Mentoring Programme and hope this continues to strengthen our community’s connections. Please see below for further information on how you can get involved.
I am sure you will be pleased to hear that despite the challenging year, students and staff have worked creatively together to continue long-standing events. We were extremely pleased to be able to hold our annual House Music event online this year. With a few adjustments, such as adapting the 4-20 Voices to 4-10 Voices and replacing the House Shout with a video prepared by each House’s Year 12 cohort, we were able to produce a polished and professional production that continued the spirit, energy, and excitement that this event always brings.
I also would like to express my thanks to those in the community who have reached out to provide assistance, and to those who have generously donated to the CGS Foundation, as this has assisted in relieving pressure for many families and given stability to their children’s learning. Even now, families continue to contact the School offering support. If you’d like to consider joining them in making a tax-deductible donation, please visit CGSFOUNDATION.ORG.AU/DONATE
I wish you the best and hope to have the opportunity to catch up with everyone again soon.
Regards,
Sandy Goddard
Director of Community Development
Georgia Hamon
Community Development Officer & Mentoring Programme Coordinator
Launch of the CGS Alumni Mentoring Programme
After trialling a pilot Alumni Mentoring Programme earlier this year, we are pleased to now publically launch the Programme.
The chosen vocations of our Alumni are reflected in the quality and success of many of our past students. With the breadth and depth of our Alumni community, the School knows that there is a wealth of knowledge and expertise that could help prepare our more recent graduates.
The CGS Alumni Mentoring Programme establishes a network of mentors who are enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge and expertise with recently graduated (or even not so recently) CGS students. While the programme focuses on career and professional development and hopes to inspire future leaders and continuously harness talent in a comfortable and exciting environment, mentees might also seek a mentor for advice on investments, starting a business, or establishing themself post-school or university.
We have partnered with The Mentor Evolution, a global mentoring programme solution designed to connect and grow people, so that we can connect our broader community, who hold years of experience and knowledge with graduated students who might be early to mid-way through their career and life journey. The programme not only allows a ‘give back’ but also the opportunity to develop and strengthen the relations between past students of different generations.
As a mentor, we hope that you might be interested in taking the opportunity to connect with another generation of CGS alum/community and impart your wisdom, learnings and experiences; to help them become ready for the world. As a mentee, we hope that you will draw on the expertise of the CGS community for professional and career development.
The Alumni Mentoring Programme has a network of mentors across industries, including the military, legal services, healthcare, hospitality, real estate, banking and finance, media and communications, education, entrepreneurship and small business, and science and engineering.To find out more about what’s involved, eligiblity and registration, please visit CGSALUMNI.ORG.AU/MENTORING
Old Boys’ Memorial Wall
As announced last year, the School has committed to its next stage of evolution, which includes transforming the School to include a new Auditorium, Music Centre, Library, and space for gathering.
We continue to remain committed to the heritage and history of the School, and as a part of this project the School has relocated the Old Boys’ Memorial Wall.
On the last day of Term 2, the Memorial Garden and Wall was decomissioned by a small service and prayer, led by School Chaplain, Father Andrew Robinson.
The Memorial Garden and Wall was a gift by the Old Boys’ Association for the School’s 75th Anniversary, and has provided a special place for remembrance and reflection to those staff and former students who had been part of the School community. Head of School, Dr Justin Garrick, along with Grounds Supervisor, Greg Brearley, continue to carefully consider an appropriate space on the western side of the driveway encircling the Chapel of Christ the King that will respect and recognise the signifcance of each name on the wall.
Contact Us – We’d love to hear from you
If you’d like to send us updates or news of Alumni happenings, or simply just want to touch base, we’d love to hear from you. You can contact Georgia Hamon, the Community Development Officer, at alumni@cgs.act.edu.au or on +61 (2) 6260 9606.
