As our most senior students embark on their final VCE exams over the coming weeks, I find myself reflecting on ambitions, motivations, and dreams.

I am fortunate to have been able to visit our Foundation classes at both St Anne’s and Bairnsdale over the course of this year and learn about the goals and dreams of our students who are nearer to the beginning of their school journey. This year we have talked about friendships, people we care about and what I want to be when I grow up. Likewise, I feel privileged each year to spend time with our senior students as I work through with them the plans for the next part in their journey beyond school. Our topics are not dissimilar to those discussions I have with the Foundation classes. We talk about friendships, people we care about and, what they want to be when they grow up.

The themes are very different and I put this down to not only individual growth and maturity, but to the opportunities that are afforded to Gippsland Grammar students across their journey at our school. Whether you are a student from ELC through until Year 12, or a student who arrived or departed along the way, the opportunities you have influence the people you become.

The ambitions, motivations and dreams that we, as parents, have for our children can often be about providing them with the opportunity to be the best person they can in an ever-changing world. Choosing Gippsland Grammar is a choice that is made by families in the steps towards achieving this.

Earlier this term, the Gippsland Grammar Old Scholars hosted the annual Decades Reunion. This year saw past students from 2013, 2003, 1993, 1983, 1973 and 1963 return to the Garnsey Campus for an afternoon inclusive of reminiscing about what was and learning what now is. About 80 guests attended with highlights including our recent additions including the extension to the Lauire Payne Sports Centre, the new Arts & Design Centre and - in possibly the biggest change over the decades - permission to walk on the ‘sacred grass’ in the quadrangle. This annual event is a wonderful opportunity for past students to maintain connection with our school and I personally take joy in hearing the stories from years gone by and learning about the changes and development of Gippsland Grammar over its time.

The timing of each of these events this year, has enabled me to consider the connection and relationship that people have with Gippsland Grammar and the contribution that a school can make to a person. From our younger students, through to our elder Old Scholars, that connection exists. Community is at the heart of a school and it is the people that build the community.

As we head towards the final month of this academic year, I encourage all of the students at our school to seek out the opportunities that are available to you and continue to be the very best version of yourself.

When we reach Term 4, we begin to reap the rewards of the hard work done in the previous terms. We begin to celebrate our learning, our achievements and being together through various events.

Our Year 12s who spent their primary years at the Bairnsdale Campus returned to share their memories of their time here and enjoyed the traditional choc-chip cookies for old-time sake. Edward Courtier, our 2017 Campus Captain and now School Captain, spoke of the importance of his connection with his primary school friends. It was lovely to welcome the parents of the Year 12s who continue to support their children, now young adults, on their educational journey. We wish all our Year 12s much success in the weeks ahead.

Camps are a feature of Term 4. From all accounts, our Year 5 and 6 students had a wonderful time on their camp where they were challenged physically, emotionally, and socially and responding to that challenge with strength and resilience. We are grateful to all staff who took on this responsibility of allowing our students to enjoy the great outdoors.

The Bairnsdale Campus has proudly celebrated its 18th birthday last week. Birthdays usually involve cake, a party, or a celebration of some sort. We enjoyed chocolate cupcakes and on Thursday evening we came together to join in some old-fashioned fun in the form of a bush dance. The Billy Tea Bush Band were with us during the day, teaching our students the dances, and the students returned excitedly with their families at night for a BBQ and the Family Bush Dance. I warmly thank the many families who assisted with this event, decorating our hall, making salad, baking slices, cooking the BBQ and serving the food. What a wonderful way to celebrate our campus!

Finally, 10 students recently competed at the Regional Athletics in Newborough. All students put in a great effort with Liora Rozite placing 2nd in 200m and 3rd in 800m. Liora will now compete at the State Championships in 200m on 1 November. All the best Liora.

It is with appreciation that I look back on the year thus far and with excitement as I look forward to the further celebrations to come.

Wishing you well for the weekend.

The Term 3 edition of Veritas has been published and features articles on next year’s Centenary celebrations, some recent Leadership announcements and a celebration of our international program.

Our plans for next year’s Centenary are in full swing. One of the first ways for our community to engage with the celebrations is to buy the Gippsland Grammar Centenary 2024 A4 wall calendar, which features a selection of ‘then and now’ images from the past 100 years. The calendar also includes all of our Centenary events and term dates pre-written for each month. We think this calendar is perfect for all current families, but is also a lovely Christmas gift for any Old Scholars in your extended family.

Pre-orders for the Centenary calendar are now open and each calendar is $20/each, with all profits going towards next year’s key Centenary events. Current families can opt to have the calendar billed to your school account, and Old Scholars can opt to have the calendar delivered by post for an additional $4 per calendar.

Pre-order here: Centenary Calendar - pre-order now