| Dear CGS Alumni, It was just over 12 months ago that the pandemic struck, and the School went into remote learning. Today, the school has returned to normal operations and I am delighted to be writing to you again, this time from what was once the guest room of the Old Headmasters Residence. The Community Development Office now occupies the upstairs, while Senior School Reception and Admissions inhabit the floor below. It is with great pleasure that I am able to advise that we will once again hold Alumni events here at the School, around NSW regional centres and in the capital cities later in the year. It was a long year without coming together and I sincerely hope to see and talk to as many of you as possible, very soon. ‘2020 – Bring It On!’ was a term coined by the School’s new Communications and Marketing Officer, Ryan Curran and it is a phrase we have come to truly believe in. In our mission to make the most of the year ahead, our number one priority is re-connecting with our Alumni. Alumni Reunion Weekend The first step in that is the Alumni Reunion Weekend, which is scheduled for May 22 – 23. During this weekend, we will welcome back the following year groups, which includes those who missed out last year due to the cancellation of events: 10 Year Anniversary Peer Years 2010 and 2011 20 Year Anniversary Peer Years 2000 and 2001 25 Year Anniversary Peer Years 1995 and 1996 30 Year Anniversary Peer Year 1990 and 1991 40 Year Anniversary Peer Year 1980 and 1981 50 Year Anniversary Peer Year 1970 and 1971 55 Year Anniversary Peer Year 1965 and 1966 Detailed event timings below: 10:00am – School open for self-guided tours 10:30am – Boarding House Tours with Sandy Goddard 11:15am – Chapel Reflection with Father Andrew 11:30am – Dedication of the Alumni Memorial Wall by Father Andrew 12:00pm – Lunches in the Snow Centre and the Dining Hall 2:00pm – School Tour 3:00pm – Rugby on Main Oval Alumni Memorial Wall The construction of the Auditorium has meant a new Alumni Memorial Wall has been completed. The wall and surrounding grass and garden were constructed on the western side of the chapel driveway. The Wall plaques and memorial stones will be dedicated in a short service at the Alumni Weekend. |
 |
| International Reunions ‘Virtual Drinks’ will be held for those in London (breakfast), the US, Hong Kong and Singapore this year. It will give us the opportunity for some good laughs, as well as a chance to update you on the various projects, initiatives and successes of the School, including the Auditorium. Hong Kong/Singapore – Thursday 6 May 6:00pm (local time) London – Thursday 27 May 8:00am (local time New York – Thursday 10 June 6:00pm (local time) LA – Thursday 10 June 6:00pm (local time) Regional Visits In 2021, we are again taking CGS on the road, visiting towns in Regional NSW to share our wonderful School with prospective parents and Alumni. So far, we have already visited the Southern Highlands and the South Coast and I, along with other staff, have very much enjoyed meeting with you at these events. Our next visits are to Bega and Cooma in late April, followed by Young and Cootamundra in August. If you would like to join us, we’d love to have you along for a catch-up, dinner and drinks. You can find more details at the School’s website. Details on the Young and Cootamundra trips will be available a little closer to the date. The trips to the capital cities later in the year will involve the Head of School, Justin Garrick, who will meet with past students and speak on the School’s vision towards our centenary in 2029. Publications A number of books and publications from CGS Alumni have been written of late that I would recommend as interesting reads. The first of which is Paul McKeown’s (CGS 1940‘A Clear View to Broad Horizons’ from which proceeds go to the Paul McKeown Scholarship fund. Tony May (CGS 1957) has written a wonderful article entitled ‘Remembering Canberra Grammar School in the 1950’s’, and Nicholas Hasluck has published ‘Rollo’s Way’ (CGS 1959) exploring the life and time of his adventurer brother, Rollo Hasluck (CGS 1958). If you would like to purchase either book, or read Tony May’s article, you can scan the QR Codes below with your phone camera app. |
 Paul McKeown – ‘A Clear View to Broader Horizons’ |  Tony May – ‘Remembering Canberra Grammar School in the 1950’s’ |  Nicholas Hasluck – ‘Rollo’s Way’ |
| Alumni Survey We are interested in conducting a survey to gauge the types of events or services you would like to see extended through the Alumni Programme. If you would like to have your say, please take some time to complete the survey here.Finally, I hope you all had an enjoyable Easter break and I look forward to seeing and meeting you in the not so distant future. Take care, Sandy Goddard Director of Community Development P.S.I would like to share some amazing drone shots from around the school, for you to see some of the dynamic changes taking place, as we build our new, state-of-the-art Auditorium |
 |
 |
