Ready For The World | Amelia Dermatis (CGS 2025)

When I was in Year 6, I applied for a scholarship to CGS and filled out the application form all without even asking my parents. While applying for a scholarship was challenging, it was worth it as I saw CGS as an opportunity to achieve great things. This opportunity gave me the confidence to believe in myself, and the process set me up for future success throughout my high school years.

At the end of Year 10, the pinnacle choice of my high school life at Canberra Grammar School came around: whether I would complete the HSC or the IB. As always, it was a very difficult choice, but the School was incredibly supportive in supplying advice and guiding me in my decision. Ultimately, I chose the HSC, and while the last two years have been challenging, they have allowed me to grow so much as a person, and as a result, CGS has allowed me to foster a deep curiosity for learning.

The teachers at CGS have been very supportive from the beginning, fostering my development to help me reach my potential both academically and personally. As I reach the end of my final year, my teachers have been pivotal in supporting me by giving valuable advice, acting as mentors, and checking in on my wellbeing. They have ensured that my final year has gone as smoothly as possible.

Becoming a Middleton House Captain gave me the opportunity to step into a leadership role and truly learn about myself. Through this experience, I developed important skills such as confidence, communication, and delegation, while also building meaningful connections with members of my house. It challenged me to reflect on what leadership looks like for me and to shape my own style, rather than simply copying others.

More broadly, the many leadership opportunities within the School have shown me how much value there is in being trusted with responsibility. They allow not only me, but also others, to grow, learn, and develop skills that will help prepare us for life beyond school.

My time taking part in co-curricular activities at CGS has been something that I will always cherish and remember. Over the years, I have participated in tennis, sailing, basketball, strength and conditioning, and most importantly, rugby. I first joined the CGS Rugby community in 2021, and immediately, I knew the sport was for me. The welcoming community that CGS Rugby offered was something that I embraced wholeheartedly. Being a part of the CGS First XII in 2024 and 2025 was an incredible honour, and I felt incredibly proud to represent the school. Rugby gave me a belief in myself and the confidence to try out for opportunities.

My time spent playing for the School and helping to build the Girls’ Rugby Programme is something that I am deeply grateful for, as is the New Zealand Rugby Tour 2025, which pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to experience so many new things. Meeting different people, going to new places, and experiencing a rich culture gave me a newfound sense of confidence in being away from home and learning how to handle things more self-sufficiently. CGS has so many opportunities like this, whether it be cultural exchanges or sports tours, that allow students to get out of their comfort zone and become more ready for the world.