Canberra Grammar School

{{Infobox school

| name = Canberra Grammar School (CGS)

| image = Canberra Grammar School logo.svg

| motto = {{langx|la|Deo Ecclesiae Patriae}}

| motto_translation = For God, for Church, for Country

| city = Red Hill

| state = Australian Capital Territory

| country = Australia

| coordinates = {{Coord|35|19|51|S|149|7|31|E|display=inline,title}}

| type = independent, co-educational, day and boarding

| denomination = Anglican

| established = 1929

| chairman = James Willson{{cite web|title=CGS: Governance|url=https://cgsfoundation.org.au/about/cgs-foundation-board/|publisher=Canberra Grammar School|access-date=29 October 2024}}

| head_of_school = Justin Garrick

| chaplain = Andrew Robinson, Father James

| staff = 554{{Cite news|url=https://issuu.com/canberragrammarschool/docs/cgs_annual_report_2018_fa-issu/1?ff|title=CGS Annual Report 2018|work=issuu|access-date=2019-07-05}}

| teaching_staff = 191{{Cite news|url=https://issuu.com/canberragrammarschool/docs/cgs_annual_report_2017_fa-issu|title=CGS Annual Report 2017|work=issuu|access-date=2018-12-19}}

| campuses = Red Hill Campus (junior and senior),
Northside Campus (PK to 2),
Southside Campus (PK to 2)

| colours = Navy blue, sky blue & gold
{{Color box|#000080}}{{Color box|#9ED2EF}}{{Color box|#FDB414}}

| slogan = Ready for the world

| revenue = A$57,200,000

| affiliation = Associated Southern Colleges

| enrolment = 2,028 (ELC to 12)

| homepage = {{URL|http://CGS.ACT.EDU.AU}}

}}

Canberra Grammar School is a co-educational, independent, day and boarding school located in Red Hill, a suburb of Canberra, the capital of Australia.

The school is affiliated with the Anglican Church of Australia and provides an education from preschool to Year 12 for boys and girls. In October 2015, the school announced that it would extend co-education to all years, commencing in 2016 with an intake of girls in Years 3 and 4. By 2018, the school became fully co-educational.{{cite web|url=http://cgs.act.edu.au/co-ed/|title=CGS goes fully co-educational|publisher=Canberra Grammar School|date=October 2015}}

The school was founded in 1929 when the existing Monaro Grammar School was relocated to Canberra from Cooma. The foundation stone was laid on 4 December 1928 by Prime Minister Stanley Bruce.{{Cite web |title=CANBERRA GRAMMAR SCHOOL - Origin and Progress - The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) - 3 Jul 1929 |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1007911 |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=Trove |language=en}} Initially, it was attended by only 63 students, but the school has grown considerably since the early 1950s to a total attendance of 1,749 students as of June 2015.{{Cite news|url=https://issuu.com/canberragrammarschool/docs/16505_cgs_annual_report_2015__web__|title=CGS Annual Report 2015|work=issuu|access-date=2017-03-11}}

The school has educated one Australian prime minister, Gough Whitlam, and has a long list of notable alumni.

The school consists of 5 main campuses: Red Hill Southside, Red Hill Primary, Red Hill Senior, the Early Learning Center (ELC) and Northside Campbell.

Curriculum

In the primary school, the Australian Curriculum and Early Years Learning Framework requirements are incorporated through International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme.{{Cite web|title = The IB Primary Years Programme & Australian Curriculum|url = http://cgs.act.edu.au/primary-school/curriculum-and-learning/the-ib-primary-years-programme-australian-curriculum/|website = cgs.act.edu.au|access-date = 2015-11-17|archive-date = 17 November 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151117224521/http://cgs.act.edu.au/primary-school/curriculum-and-learning/the-ib-primary-years-programme-australian-curriculum/|url-status = dead}}

In the senior school, from years 7 to 10, the school follows the Australia Curriculum and the ACT Every chance to learn curriculum framework.{{Cite web|title = The Curriculum Year 7 to Year 10|url = http://cgs.act.edu.au/senior-school/curriculum-and-learning/the-curriculum-year-7-to-year-10/|website = cgs.act.edu.au|access-date = 2015-11-17}} Unlike other schools in the Australian Capital Territory, Canberra Grammar School does not follow the ACT Year 12 Curriculum. Instead, it is the only school in the ACT where students in years 11 and 12 have the option to study either the New South Wales Higher School Certificate (HSC) or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.{{Cite web|title = The Curriculum Year 11 to Year 12|url = http://cgs.act.edu.au/senior-school/curriculum-and-learning/the-curriculum-year-11-to-year-12/|website = cgs.act.edu.au|access-date = 2015-12-16}} In 2012, Canberra Grammar became an International Baccalaureate World School.{{Cite web|url = http://www.ibo.org/en/school/049098/|title = Canberra Grammar School - International Baccalaureate|access-date = 20 December 2014|publisher = IBO}}

Co-curricular

Canberra Grammar School is a member of the Associated Southern Colleges (ASC). The school offers many activities outside school hours. These include sport, music and other activities.{{cite web|url=http://www.cgs.act.edu.au/co_curr2.html |title=Co-Curricular |publisher=Canberra Grammar School |date=2009-03-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090426201059/http://www.cgs.act.edu.au/co_curr2.html |archive-date=April 26, 2009 }}

Junior School: athletics, adventure club, ball games, basketball, chess, cricket, cross country running, drama, European handball, gardening, golf, indoor soccer, mini volleyball, multimedia, orienteering, rugby, art, swimming, tae kwon do, tennis and triathlon.
Senior School: athletics club, alternate reality club (ARC), badminton, basketball, CGS Academy (Yr 11 & 12 tutoring for younger students), chess, Code Cadets,[http://cgs.act.edu.au/senior-school/opportunity-beyond-the-classroom/the-code-cadets/ Code Cadets] community service, cricket, cross country, Cru (Christian Group), debating, dragon boating, drama, Duke of Edinburgh awards, Equestrian Club, football (soccer), golf, hockey, mountain biking, netball, orienteering, outdoor education, rowing, rugby, sailing, snowsports, strength and conditioning, STEM Club, Sustainable CGS,[https://twitter.com/sustainablecgs Sustainable CGS] swimming, tae kwon do, tennis, Thucydides club and water polo.
Junior School Music: Junior School Chorale, Junior Choir, Senior Choir, String Orchestra, Concert Band and the Canberra Grammar School Stage Band.
Senior School Music is made up of two streams of performance groups:
The Advanced Musicians Program consists of a senior (higher level) concert band, Chamber Orchestra, senior jazz band, senior percussion ensemble, brass ensemble and Motet. These students have high level performance opportunities.
The large ensemble program provides larger ensemble-based experiences, including two concert bands, junior (lower level) jazz band, two string ensembles, a choir, an electric guitar ensemble, junior percussion ensemble and a piano ensemble.

Many of the Senior School ensembles have done numerous tours overseas over the years.

The school also holds a major musical every two years. Previous productions have included:

Grease (2021), Chess (2020-cancelled due to Covid), The Pirates of Penzance (2018) Barnum (2015) and Guys and Dolls (2013).

Houses

Image:CGSfromRedHill.jpg

File:Snow Concert Hall March 2025.jpg

= List of houses =

As with most Australian schools, Canberra Grammar utilises a house system. The Senior School consists of ten houses:{{cite web|url=http://www.cgs.act.edu.au/school_houses.html |title=Houses |publisher=Canberra Grammar School |date=2009-03-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100217121738/http://www.cgs.act.edu.au/school_houses.html |archive-date=February 17, 2010 }}

House	Colour(s)	Mascot
class="wikitable"
Burgmann	{{Color sample\|gold}} {{Color sample\|Navy}}	Lion rampant
Blaxland	{{Color sample\|Red}}	Swan
Garran	{{Color sample\|Purple}} {{Color sample\|Black}}	Bull
Garnsey	{{Color sample\|#87CEEB}}	Dove with olive branch
Eddison	{{Color sample\|Navy}} {{Color sample\|Black}}	Eagle
Hay	{{Color sample\|Black}} {{Color sample\|White}}	Murray cod
Jones \| {{Color sample\|Green}} \|Dragon
Sheaffe	{{Color sample\|White}} {{Color sample\|Silver}}	Pegasus
Edwards	{{Color sample\|Maroon}}	Kookaburra
Middleton	{{Color sample\|Lime}}	Stag

The school also has three Year 7 houses:

House	Mascot
class="wikitable"
Clements	Agnus Dei (lamb)
Burgess	Kangaroo
Snow \|Horse

The Junior School has six houses introduced in 2022. These houses were named after local flora and fauna using the traditional Indigenous language of the Ngunnawal people:

House	Colour	Flora / Fauna
class="wikitable"
Dhiriwiri	{{Color sample\|Green}}	Ironbark
Buru	{{Color sample\|Red}}	Kangaroo
Guginyal	{{Color sample\|#87CEEB}}	Kookaburra
Namarang	{{Color sample\|#FFD700}}	Wattle
Mulleun	{{Color sample\|Black}}	Wedge-tailed Eagle
Bariny	{{Color sample\|Orange}}	Stringybark

The Junior School's original four houses, in place till 2021:

House	Colour	Mascot
class="wikitable"
Edwards	Green	Dragon
Radford	Red	Lion
Garnsey	Blue	Eagle
CJ Shakespeare	Gold	Tiger

Most of these houses are in the upper years.

Notable alumni

;Academia

Peter David Arthur Garnsey (1961)[http://www.usyd.edu.au/registrar/rhodes/previous.shtml "NSW Rhodes Scholars"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070915153447/http://www.usyd.edu.au/registrar/rhodes/previous.shtml |date=2007-09-15 }} — University of Sydney list, (retrieved 16 April 2007)

Professor Geoffrey Garrett, political scientist1st XI and early entry ANU. The Canberran 1976; 44: 79 and 91
Professor Malcolm Gillies, vice-chancellor and president, City University, London; vice-chancellor, London Metropolitan University[http://www.city.ac.uk/vco/ "City University website"], (retrieved 1 January 2009).
Professor Jeffrey Grey, Australian military historianSmarden Essay Prize 1976. Debating Team. The Canberran 1976: 44: 38-43, 166
Professor Toby Miller, sociologistButler Prize for Modern History. Debating Team. The Canberran 1976; 44: 166

;Business

Kerry Packer, publishing, media and gaming tycoon

{{cite news

|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/chip-off-the-old-block/2005/12/30/1135915692196.html

|title=Chip off the old block

|publisher=Fairfax Digital

|date=2005-12-31

|location=Melbourne}}

Nectarios (Nicky) Efkarpidis, architect and property developer{{Cite web |date=1991 |title=The Canberran No. 59 |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3116524237 |access-date=2024-07-03 |website=Trove |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Rout |first=Milanda |date=5 June 2015 |title=New Acton gives Canberra some cool |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/tablet-t3/tablet-t3/new-acton-gives-canberra-some-cool/news-story/9d7b4aa73f670a2a7c0fd690356633ca |work=The Australian}}{{Cite web |title=Tales of the city |url=https://monocle.com/magazine/issues/147/tales-of-the-city/ |access-date=2024-07-03 |website=Monocle |language=en}}
Rowan Dean, advertising executive[https://www.spectator.com.au/2014/04/diary-661/ Diary Rowan Dean], spectator.com.au,

5 April 2014, accessed 20 November 2020

Terry Snow, Executive Director of the Canberra Airport Group,{{cite web|url=http://www.canberraairport.com.au/corporate/about/team/|title=Team | Canberra Airport|publisher=canberraairport.com.au|access-date=31 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150304012620/http://www.canberraairport.com.au/corporate/about/team/|archive-date=4 March 2015|url-status=dead}} Australian businessman (trained accountant), entrepreneur, and philanthropist

;Media, entertainment and the arts

Richard Glover, author, journalist, ABC radio presenterDebating Team. The Canberran 1976: 44: 38-43.
Alister Grierson, film director and scriptwriter
Francis James, RAF pilot and POW during WWII, journalist{{cite web|url=http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/258049 |title=Francis James interviewed by Stewart Harris [sound recording] | National Library of Australia |year=1992 |publisher=catalogue.nla.gov.au|access-date=31 January 2015}} and publisher, activist against the Vietnam War
Peter Leonard, former WIN News Canberra reader[http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/tributes-for-newsreader-leonard/1280744.aspx] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004150820/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/tributes-for-newsreader-leonard/1280744.aspx|date=October 4, 2011}}
James O'Loghlin, ABC Sydney presenter{{cite web|url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/standup-comic-sits-in-for-a-while/522509.aspx |title=Standup Comic Sits in for a While|access-date=March 28, 2011 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
Dan O'Malley, author of The Rook
Fred Smith, musician, writer and diplomat
Bill Birtles, ABC journalist{{cite web |title=Mr Bill Birtles Class of 2002 |url=https://cgsalumni.org.au/profiles/mr-bill-birtles-class-of-2002/ |website=CGS Alumni |access-date=24 September 2020}}

;Politics, public service and the law

Henry Pike, Liberal National Party of Queensland Federal member for Bowman, Queensland
Wal Fife, Liberal Party of Australia Federal member for Hume, New South Wales{{cite NSW Parliament |id=1890 |former=Yes |title=The Hon. Wallace Clyde Fife |accessdate=21 May 2019}}
Robert Piper, Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and the humanitarian coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, with the rank of UN Assistant Secretary General
Shane Rattenbury, Member of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly, 2008–present and Speaker{{cite news|url = http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24521305-11949,00.html|archive-url = https://archive.today/20121215172351/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24521305-11949,00.html|url-status = dead|archive-date = 15 December 2012|title = Eco-brawler unworried about front line|last = Dodd|first = Mark|publisher = The Australian|date = 20 October 2008}}
Andrew Refshauge, deputy premier of New South Wales 1995–2005{{cite news| url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/passions-kept-carr-on-track/2005/08/02/1122748639243.html | work=The Sydney Morning Herald | title=Passions kept Carr on track | date=2005-08-03}}
Richard Refshauge, ACT Supreme Court Justice{{cite web|url=http://www.capitalmagazine.com.au/DC/Site/documents/Click.here.for.full.story.pdf|date=18 May 2008|title=I love my Capital|author=Capital Magazine Publishing|access-date=31 January 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321204624/http://www.capitalmagazine.com.au/DC/Site/documents/Click.here.for.full.story.pdf|archive-date=21 March 2012}}
Jon Richardson, former Australian High Commissioner to Ghana (2004–08) and Nigeria (2013–15)1st X1 and 1st XV The Canberran 1976: 44: 88
Peter Webb, New South Wales State member for Monaro 1999–2003{{cite NSW Parliament |id=2080 |former=Yes |title=Mr Peter William Webb |accessdate=21 May 2019}}
Gough Whitlam (Dux three years running), Prime Minister of Australia, 1972–1975[http://www.nma.gov.au/education/school_resources/websites_and_interactives/primeministers/gough_whitlam/ National Museum of Australia: Gough Whitlam] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111113030730/http://www.nma.gov.au/education/school_resources/websites_and_interactives/primeministers/gough_whitlam/ |date=13 November 2011 }} (accessed:02-08-2007)
Andrew Constance, New South Wales State member for Bega 2003-2021{{Cite NSW Parliament |id=18 |name=The Hon. Andrew James Constance MP |former= |access-date=2020-05-06}}

;Sport

Edward Bissaker, Junior World Champion cyclist{{cite web|url=http://www.cycling.org.au/?ID=36987 |title=Cycling Australia > Home | Edward Bissaker|publisher=cycling.org.au|access-date=31 January 2015}}
Bob Brown, former Wallabies rugby union player{{cite web |url=http://www.cgs.act.edu.au/documents/Rugby%20Lineout%20three |title=Archived copy |access-date=2011-05-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110901075809/http://www.cgs.act.edu.au/documents/Rugby%20Lineout%20three |archive-date=2011-09-01 }}
Josh Bruce, St Kilda, Australian rules football player{{cite web|url=http://roms.rowingaustralia.com.au/Rowing/Regattas/Crews/RegattaCrewView.aspx?id=edba2a91-85a3-46c5-816a-deafba5f01ad |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320124719/http://roms.rowingaustralia.com.au/Rowing/Regattas/Crews/RegattaCrewView.aspx?id=edba2a91-85a3-46c5-816a-deafba5f01ad |archive-date=2012-03-20 |url-status=dead |title=ROMS | Crew listing for Canberra Grammar racing the Schoolboy Coxed Quad Scull at 2009 Hydro Tasmania Australian Rowing Championships and Interstate Regatta |access-date=31 January 2015}}
Andy Friend, ACT Brumbies former head coach
David Gallop, former chairman of the National Rugby League (NRL){{cite news| url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/a-man-on-top-of-his-game/2007/03/09/1173166982358.html | work=The Sydney Morning Herald | title=A man on top of his game | date=2007-03-10}}
Charlie Hancock, Western Force rugby union player{{cite web|url= https://westernforce.rugby/players/charlie-hancock|title= Charlie Hancock Profile|author= Western Force|access-date= 19 May 2023}}
Rod Kafer, Wallabies rugby union player{{cite web|url=http://www.cgs.act.edu.au/our-school/co-curricular/rugby |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110217221934/http://www.cgs.act.edu.au/our-school/co-curricular/rugby |archive-date=2011-02-17 |url-status=dead |title=Rugby — Canberra Grammar School |access-date=31 January 2015}}
Peter Kimlin, Wallabies rugby union player
Michael Milton, world and Australian record holder, Winter Paralympic gold medalist{{cite web|url=http://www.michaelmilton.com/ |title=Michael Milton |publisher=michaelmilton.com|access-date=31 January 2015}}
Nick McDonald-Crowley, Olympic rower{{cite web|url=http://www.rowinghistory-aus.info/national-championships/1986-1.html#mu192 |title=1986 National Championships - Australian Rowing History |publisher=rowinghistory-aus.info|access-date=31 January 2015}}
Cody Meakin, Australian wheelchair rugby paralympian
Fergus Pragnell, Australian representative rower{{cite web |url=http://www.rowingaustralia.com.au/hp_athletes_profiles_pragnell-f.shtm |title=Athlete profile: Fergus Pragnell |publisher=rowingaustralia.com.au |access-date=31 January 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313190414/http://www.rowingaustralia.com.au/hp_athletes_profiles_pragnell-f.shtm |archive-date=13 March 2014 }}
Guy Shepherdson, Wallabies rugby union player
Ben Treffers, Junior World Champion swimmer{{cite web|url=http://swimming.org.au/profiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=profile&ProfileID=1115084 |title=Swimming Australia |publisher=swimming.org.au |access-date=31 January 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321195643/http://swimming.org.au/profiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=Profile&ProfileID=1115084 |archive-date=21 March 2012 }}
Richard Freedman, Horse trainer and media personality{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/richard-freedman-returns-to-where-it-all-began-for-canberra-cup-20180309-h0x8qx.html|title = Richard Freedman returns to where it all began for Canberra Cup|date = 9 March 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://thoroughbredpark.com.au/richard-freedman-guest-speaker-autumn-lunch|title=Richard Freedman guest speaker for Autumn Lunch | Thoroughbred Park}}

;Other

David Eastman, former Dux found not guilty of murder on 22 November 2018, after a retrial on a quashed murder conviction[http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20090516025049/http://www.courts.act.gov.au/supreme/content/pdfs/DHEReportv1.pdf Inquiry into fitness to plead of David Harold Eastman], page 56{{Cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-22/david-eastman's-murder-conviction-quashed/5688270|title=David Eastman freed from jail as murder retrial ordered|website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=22 August 2014}}
Dr James Muecke AM, Australian of the Year 2020{{Cite web|title=Australian of the Year Awards|url=https://www.australianoftheyear.org.au/2020-recipients/|website=www.australianoftheyear.org.au|access-date=2020-05-06|archive-date=26 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426041438/https://www.australianoftheyear.org.au/2020-recipients/|url-status=dead}}, Class of 1981{{Cite web|title=Mr James Muecke Class of 1981|url=https://cgsalumni.org.au/profiles/mr-james-muecke/|website=cgsalumni.org.au|access-date=2020-05-06}}

Scandals

During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian government announced a $130 billion {{cite web | url=https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/josh-frydenberg-2018/media-releases/130-billion-jobkeeper-payment-keep-australians-job | title=$130 billion JobKeeper payment to keep Australians in a job | Treasury Ministers | date=31 March 2020 }} subsidy to help employers to be able to keep paying their employees and to support the survival of businesses and jobs impacted by the pandemic. Canberra Grammar School took $7,108,500 {{cite news | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-20/millions-in-jobkeeper-went-to-private-schools-that-grew-surplus/101075098 | title=Millions in JobKeeper went to private schools that grew their surpluses | newspaper=ABC News | date=19 May 2022 }} in JobKeeper funds. Dr Garrick, head of the school, responded by saying "that as a private school, Canberra Grammar has an obligation to their community to maintain an operating surplus to ensure their economic viability into the future."{{cite web | url=https://the-riotact.com/canberra-grammar-says-jobkeeper-criticism-is-ongoing-campaign-targeting-private-schools/527821 | title=Canberra Grammar says JobKeeper criticism an 'ongoing campaign' targeting private schools }}