No. 16 2012 Grimwade News - Melbourne Grammar School

Term II – No 16 Thursday 31 May, 2012
From the Head of Grimwade House
Student Achievement
Congratulations to Luciana Kunkel and Coco Swansson on gaining selection in the final stages of the State Tennis Team
for 2012. The girls are now in the final 25 and will have a trial day on June 5. This is an excellent achievement and we
wish them both the very best in their quest to make the final 8 players!
Thank You to all Involved in the Year 6 Musical
What a wonderful series of performances were presented by Year 6 in the 2012 Musical, Rainmaker. Over three evening
and two matinee performances, every Year 6 student had a role to play. Although Damien Lyons, on behalf of the Year
6 team, has given a full report below, I wanted to thank all staff, parents and especially the students for their efforts.
Special thanks goes to Catherine Baillie, Christine Barratt, the Year 6 teachers (Mr McIlrath, Mr Lyons, Mrs Lanham
and Ms Gordon), Mrs Rizzo and Ms Nairn, Mr White, Andrew Brookes, Jane Fox and the team of Year 6 mothers who
worked on the costumes. Aside from being an outstanding cultural and educational experience, it was also an excellent
example of the wonderful sense of community present in our school
Andrew Boyd, Head of Grimwade House
Year 6 Musical - Rainmaker
And so the curtain closed on the very dramatic and entertaining Year 6 Musical, Rainmaker, last Thursday night, much
to the delight of the captivated audience. The Year 6 Musical involved all 99 Year 6 students in various singing, acting
and dancing roles in a highly theatrical and engaging story.
Inspired by a story from Central America, and accompanied by a colourful score, Rainmaker leads us on a journey of
awakening. We follow a group of children from a drought-ridden village as they set out on a quest to find the legendary
Rainmakers. Learning secrets about power and 'medicine' from animals of the rainforest, our young hero Chep discovers
his own true colours as he helps the Lord of Rain recover the rainmaking-capes and overthrow the evil Kongan Hab.
Then finally, from the Rainmakers themselves, Chep discovers the biggest secret of all...
The Musical was produced, choreographed and directed by Christine Barratt and Catherine Baillie. Their tireless work
with students is always a highlight and something that Grimwade students are very lucky to experience.
Throughout the six weeks of rehearsals it was evident that students gained much from the experience. Learning and
rehearsing numerous choreographed scenes and then performing these in a culmination over 3 nights to appreciative
audiences was a significant and visual representation of what they gained. However, it was also clear to the Year 6
teaching staff the growth in maturity and development of a positive self-concept that goes along with such a learning
event. It is great to observe the students attempt something very different in their learning, overcome anxiety and build
confidence throughout the process. The success of the Year 6 musical is directly related to the Grimwade community
coming together to assist in all aspects of the production. The Musical is well-supported by staff from all areas of the
school, who work after hours to create sets, organise logistics, and plan for the evening performances. There is also
incredible support from the parents of the Year 6 students who assisted with photography and costuming. Each
GRIMWADE HOUSE Melbourne Grammar’s co-educational primary school 67 Balaclava Road Caulfield Telephone: 9865 7800

performance highlighted the collective talents of Year 6 students and we hope that it will be a process and event that will
continue to reap learning outcomes long after the final curtain closed.
Damien Lyons, on behalf of the Year 6 Team.
Library News
Afternoon Tea with the Queen…
As a culmination of our mini look at Royalty and to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee, the Year 3 students
have been invited to a special “Afternoon Tea” on Friday 1 June at 1.00pm in the Walker Library. Tea and
scones or crumpets will be served. There might even be a special visit from “The Maj” herself. The Year 3
children are invited to wear a tiara, crown, medals, Bowler hat or any other regalia and BYO stuffed corgi. Students
interested in attending must sign the Royal Register located in the Walker library.
Half way week is here!
It is hard to believe we are almost halfway through the 2012 school year. Mid-year is a great time to make sure we clear
our library loans record. Students will be receiving overdue notices via their classroom teacher within the next week.
Parental help searching and seeking out missing items is greatly appreciated.
Cheryl Adamson, Senior Teacher Librarian
Grimwade Club
Expression of Interest
Grimwade Club is exploring the idea of introducing Hebrew Lessons! In order for the class to be viable, a
minimum of 15 students would need to participate. If your family is interested, please email Bree Mayes –
bemayes@mgs.vic.edu.au for further information.
Bree Mayes, Coordinator – Out of School Hours Programs
2012 Maths Talent Quest
The Maths Talent Quest is on again for 2012! Start thinking about real life ideas for projects…Family Maths; Maths in
the Garden; Waste and Recycling; The Guinness Book of Records; Maths in the real world—shopping, transport, sport,
architecture, hobbies, cooking, growth, time, banking… the list goes on!!
Students may begin working on projects now and may hand in completed work at any time up until the final due date.
The final due date for school judging is Wednesday 18 July 2012, the start of Term 3.
Entries are judged at school on originality; Mathematical content and understanding; communication and presentation.
Selected entries from each level will be sent to the State Judging Centre.
See the flier attached to this week’s bulletin for more details.
Adrienne English, Maths Coordinator
From the Headmaster
As Arts Festival Week gained momentum last week in the Senior School, it was apt that the Year 6 production,
‘Rainmaker’, took place in the Alfred Fenton Hall over three nights. Written by Jan Stroud, the play, based on ancient
folklore from Central America, involved all students in Year 6 and I was most impressed with the standard of the
GRIMWADE HOUSE Melbourne Grammar’s co-educational primary school 67 Balaclava Road Caulfield Telephone: 9865 7800

production; from the excellent props and sets to wonderful costumes, which included frogs, butterfly dancers, thunder
cronies, parrots and toucans, monkeys, rainmakers, star children and puppets. There was a great deal of enthusiasm and
excitement in the musical production. I congratulate Director and Choreographer, Ms Christine Barratt, as well as
Musical Director, Ms Catherine Baillie. The Year 6 teachers, Mr Toby McIlrath, Ms Donna Gordon, Mrs Edwina
Lanham and Mr Damien Lyons, are congratulated for the way in which they had all children performing at a high level.
Few schools could produce such a high standard performance from students at this young age.
Last Wednesday morning I attended a Lodge function at which Roger Dunn, OM 1957, was invited to unveil the etching
of him drawn by former MGS Art Teacher, John Brack. Roger was thrilled that the School now owns the drawing. He
proceeded to give an insight into how fortunate he was to be in John Brack’s Art class and speculated that the reason
why he had been drawn was due to his selection by Brack to attend special Saturday morning Art classes with him.
During the unveiling, Roger talked about life at Melbourne Grammar School in the 1950’s. He mentioned that, as a
member of the School Cadets, he often travelled on the tram to his home carrying his 303 rifle, albeit with the firing bolt
sitting in his school bag! The Brack sketch will reside in The Lodge.
Bleak weather at Flack Park greeted all MGS supporters on their way to the 155th year of AFL football played between
Scotch College and MGS. Sensibly, the School had informed all Year 9 and 10 students that they need not attend, but
we still had a large cohort of enthusiastic supporters at the ground to support the team, led by Chris Lam (Yr 12, Ce).
The first game of AFL football played between the two schools occurred on 7 August 1858 when 80 boys were involved
in the match on the Richmond paddock between Wellington Parade and the MCG. The goals were over half a mile apart
and, prior to the game, it was decided that the winner would be the first team to score two goals. No result was achieved
after three Saturday afternoons with the score tied at 1-1. Since 1858, Scotch has now won 83 games, MGS has won 73,
with 14 draws. In Friday’s game, the MGS team battled hard in the difficult conditions with Scotch winning 6.9 (45) to
MGS 2.8 (20). However, the next day, the 1st XI soccer team recorded an exciting 4-3 victory over Scotch to win the
Rose and Thistle Cup, reclaiming that trophy for the first time since 2009. Congratulations go to Coach, Mr Andy Near,
and all the players on their exciting win.
During 2011, students from Grimwade House, Wadhurst and Senior School completed a bullying survey which was
conducted by Senior School Director of Counselling, Mr Ivan Mathieson. The results have now been collated and
feedback has been given to the Executive staff at all three schools for analysis. A recent Senior School assembly
highlighted the issue of bullying in what was a totally student-led exercise. As well as observing an emotional ‘Youtube’
video, students were given feedback on the survey results, with Year 11 and Year 12 students talking to the entire
School about the ways in which bullying can be reduced at MGS. One interesting finding is the fact that in the Senior
School and Wadhurst, students are more likely to tell a friend than a teacher or parent about any bullying that they may
have experienced. The emphasis in the assembly, therefore, was to empower students to intervene and, as necessary,
report bullying so that the overall effects can be addressed and reduced. It was a powerful way to approach this
important issue.
A Final Thought
Reconciliation Week commenced this week with a flag raising ceremony on Monday morning and an indigenous guest
speaker invited to address the School on Wednesday. Melbourne Grammar School has had an involvement with
Reconciliation Week since the mid-1990’s and the Indigenous Bursary programme was established soon after. During
Monday’s ceremony, Year 12 indigenous student, Matt Cubis (Yr 12, Sl), addressed the School and explained how
difficult it was in his first year to attend Melbourne Grammar School, having moved from his home in Darwin. He cited
homesickness and loneliness, as well as the cold Melbourne winters, as major challenges he had to overcome. He said
he received great support from teachers and friends in the boarding house and he certainly does not regret the move. In
GRIMWADE HOUSE Melbourne Grammar’s co-educational primary school 67 Balaclava Road Caulfield Telephone: 9865 7800

his speech he also talked about the connection with his family’s traditional lands, near Darwin, and how important this
area was to him.
With the Aboriginal flag flying above the Bluestone this week, I am reminded of the recent guest speaker at the
Melbourne Grammar School Foundation AGM, Mr Adrian Appo, who stated his strong support for the MGS Indigenous
Programme and declared that one of the core beliefs of his Shepparton-based Gambina Organisation is that “welfare
must not be a destination” for indigenous people. In tribute, I include the following statement from former Australian
Prime Minister and Old Melburnian, Malcolm Fraser, whom I hope would be proud of the School’s actions in this area:
“In recent years we’ve come some distance towards reconciliation and the breaking down of disadvantage. Let us
take encouragement from what has been achieved and set our minds and hearts to end the remaining road blocks.
There is no doubt that reconciliation requires changes of heart and spirit, as well as social and economic change.
It requires symbolic as well as practical action.”
Roy Kelley, Headmaster
From the Director of Leadership
A Lifelong Impact
Last week’s Senior School assembly was unique in a number of ways. Firstly, it was run by a sizeable and cross
representational group of students, with Jordan Cutter (12Dn) undertaking the role of MC. The entire assembly was also
based on a single theme, that of bullying. Usually an assembly at Melbourne Grammar School is a cross-section of the
many occurrences and achievements which have taken place. Such is the importance of an issue like bullying, though, it
was decided that an entire assembly should be given to it.
Over the past few weeks a number of students from Years 9 – 12 have been regularly meeting at lunchtime to discuss the
results of the MGS whole school bullying survey, conducted in 2011. These meetings have also provided an opportunity
for students to consider how best to deal with an issue that is as real and damaging at MGS as it is in other schools
around Australia. Many of the students who chose to join this discussion group may have had firsthand experience of
bullying; either as a victim, bystander or even at times as a bully themselves.
The assembly was a very powerful and thought provoking affair. It commenced with a moving U-tube video in which a
13 year old victim of bullying shared his experience using a series of written messages. Entitled ‘What’s going on’, it
was a poignant reminder of just how insidious bullying can be. Director of Counselling, Mr Ivan Mathieson then gave
an overview of the Senior School results of the whole school bullying survey. While MGS students report fewer
instances of bullying than those at other schools, there are a significant number of students who have been victims of
bullying and who reported that they do not feel happy at school.
To conclude the assembly, two Year 11 students spoke about how we as a community can take a stand against bullying.
A challenge was offered to those who witness or are bystanders to bullying – ‘do something about it!’. Often this takes
a great deal of conviction and moral courage, particularly if you approach the bully directly or intervene when there are
a number of other people around. However, if we aspire to create a culture of tolerance and respect at this School, it is
necessary for all students to not only know what is wrong, but also act on it.
Of course bullying is not just an issue at schools. Last week Prime Minister Gillard announced the Federal Government
is set to expand national workplace bullying laws. Currently, Victoria is the only State to have introduced criminal
penalties for serious workplace bullying. This demonstrates that bullying is not necessarily something that people grow
out of and can be just as damaging to adults as it can be to children.
Nathan Jessup, Director of Leadership
GRIMWADE HOUSE Melbourne Grammar’s co-educational primary school 67 Balaclava Road Caulfield Telephone: 9865 7800

Maths Weekly Challenges
Congratulations to this week’s winners. These were the first
correct entries drawn from the boxes.
Beginner Challenge: Emma Taylor 2P
Intermediate Challenge: Ethan Richards 3V
Advanced Challenge: Connor McCrea 4C
Your prizes will be handed out at your Sectional assemblies.
Entries can be placed in the correct box at the Grimwade
Reception Office by TUESDAY lunchtime.
Best of Luck! Adrienne English (Maths Coordinator)
Beginner Challenge 12
Which is greater:
the number of hours in 10 days
or the number of months in 10 years?
Advanced Challenge 12
Which is greater:
the number of seconds in a day
or the number of hours in 10 years?
Did you know?
Last year in Samoa was only 364 days
long! Samoa used to be almost a day
behind Australia, running close to US
time. Samoa skipped 30 December,
and now it’s a few hours ahead of
Australia.
Intermediate Challenge 12
Which is greater:
the number of minutes in a day
or the number of days in 10 years?
GRIMWADE HOUSE Melbourne Grammar’s co-educational primary school 67 Balaclava Road Caulfield Telephone: 9865 7800

GRIMWADE HOUSE Melbourne Grammar’s co-educational primary school 67 Balaclava Road Caulfield Telephone: 9865 7800