CGS in the Community

We prepare our students to be compassionate leaders of the next century.

Our Community Development team seeks mutually beneficial relationships to fulfill the intellectual, spiritual, cultural, social and physical aspirations of our community and those we partner with.

Recent initiatives include partnering with the Australian National University to develop and host the popular Jazz in the Gallery series, working with Desert Discovery Incorporated to undertake scientific research in the Gibson Desert, and expanding our relationship with the Beijing National Day School in China.

SERVICE LEARNING

Canberra Grammar School seeks to live as a Christian community, which includes a commitment to Service Learning (community service) and to becoming responsible citizens with a willingness to serve the School and the wider community.

We see Service Learning as a life-long opportunity to learn the value of service and helping others. We ask students to give of their time and energy to the community as a whole, and to a particular organisation of their choice. Year 10 students engage in a structured program, although service is encouraged in all years.

FUNDRAISING

CGS participates in a wide range of fundraising activities and assists in supporting and helping local, national and international charities and causes. Some of these causes include:

• Breast Cancer Awareness
• Mens mental health awareness and support
• Disaster appeal and relief support
• Overseas education assistance
• Homelessness awareness and support
• Programmes with local additional needs children and Schools; and
• A variety of local community support activities.

SONY CAMP

Each year approximately 20 senior students from Canberra Grammar School choose to give up the first week of their School holidays to move into the Canberra Grammar School Boarding House and act as full-time carers for primary aged children with special needs.

The CGS Sony Foundation Children’s Holiday Camp is primarily funded by the Sony Foundation and supported by Canberra Grammar School. Camps are run across Australian at more than 20 boarding schools and universities, but the one held at CGS is the only one in Canberra.

The students and the children move into the Boarding House for three days. During this time the students, along with a small team of volunteers, are responsible for the care of the children 24 hours a day. They participate in a range of activities including line dancing, dragon boating, swimming and cooking – celebrating with a mini-fete and Christmas party.

The students learn how to care for a child with additional needs and past participants have described it as a life-changing experience.

The camp has enormous benefits for all participants. The children are treated to three days of activities and interactions they may never have had the chance to experience, while their parents and carers get some respite at the time of year when they need it most. For some, this will be their only break of the year.

To support or volunteer please contact the CGS Community Development Office.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

T +61 (2) 6260 9606
E community@cgs.act.edu.au