Our Stories
From students & parents to Alumni and donors, these stories express the deep sense of gratitude, fulfilment and connection members of our community have with the School and the CGS Foundation. Read on to find out how the CGS Foundation has positively impacted the lives of so many.
Mikayala helms (Year 12 Indigenous scholar)
“At CGS I’m surrounded by like-minded people who also want to do the best they can in life which encourages me and pushes me to try my best. The School also cemented my decision to become one of the 400 Aboriginal doctors in Australia “
BEN MALIEL (Alumnus and peter hazlehurst scholar)
“Through experiences like the Code Cadets trip to Silicon Valley, I was exposed to the technology industry and was able to meet professionals in that space. “
We felt so happy and grateful. It was a privilege to be recognised for my passion and interest in technology, and to have access to Peter’s mentorship and guidance. Additionally, the support with school fees was very beneficial to my parents. My education and the opportunities I received while at Grammar have hugely shaped my career path thus far.
The Code Cadets program was instrumental in developing and fueling my interest in technology. Through experiences like the Code Cadets trip to Silicon Valley, I was exposed to the technology industry and was able to meet professionals in that space, leading me to discover the product management career path. The hackathons and competitions in which we competed at school gave me a significant leg-up in securing the internships I landed at Spotify and Xero while at university.
I think the most valuable thing I gained from Grammar overall was all the opportunities outside the classroom. The Code Cadets program, Rowing and Hockey, leadership roles and community service experiences have all shaped who I am today and given me many foundational life skills. As for the scholarship program, having Peter has a mentor has been fantastic. He’s been able to give me advice and guidance, act as a sounding board and connect me with people in the technology industry. Through our conversations, he’s encouraged me to push myself and broadened my thinking on what I want to achieve in my career. I’m forever grateful for his time and his donation of my scholarship.
Shanniya mongta (Year 12 Indigenous scholar and boarder)
“Going to Canberra Grammar School, I’ve developed so much , I look at things from a very different perspective. I’ve grown so much”.
I didn’t think about the broader aspects of education before, like pursuing University, I didn’t think I wanted to go down that path. Now, coming to CGS, seeing the opportunities and the subjects on offer has broadened my lens and now i do want to go to Uni and perhaps eve4nt pursue a career in Rugby. Being a boarder I have a lot of support from staff, as also the girls around the boarding house, its like having 50 new sisters! I do everything with them, they help me and I help them.
CALLUM bennet (year 12 student and cgs foundation music scholar)
“Having the opportunities presented by the scholarship has really improved both me as a persona and me as a musician. It also gives my siblings something to look up to”
MARK FRANCIS (Past parent and Foundation donor)
” The school seemed to genuinely embrace ideals such as service (as in helping others), integrity, and a holistic approach to each student’s development. Underpinning this, we felt was a commitment to excellence.”
This very fence around our beloved oval is a shining example of how a community with a shared purpose can come together to achieve something wonderful, a legacy for generations to enjoy.
Our donation may seem small in overall terms, but we felt a need to express our feelings in concrete form. This money is donated from our hearts and with our pleasure.
We wish the ‘Towards 2029 Centenary Project’ all the best and trust it culminates successfully. Knowing the school as we do, that outcome is guaranteed.
bEN MCGINNESS (CGS ALUMNUS AND POATE SCHOLAR)
“I am very thankful that as part of the Poate Scholarship, I was afforded the opportunity to attend the Global Young Leaders Conference (GYLC) in the USA. This opportunity was a valuable experience to develop leadership and negotiation skills, as well as connecting with many other young leaders from all corners of the world. “
Having graduated CGS in 2016, I studied a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at the University of Canberra, which has led me to becoming a private-practice physiotherapist, with an interest in sports physiotherapy and concussion rehabilitation. I am looking forward to developing my skills in these particular two areas over the course of my career, to see where in the world it may take me!
Being awarded the Poate Scholarship for Years 11 and 12 was an amazing honour for us as a family. Throughout my time as the recipient we developed a close relationship with the Poate family and have kept in contact ever since. To learn about their deep connection with CGS, Robbie’s heavy involvement in school life and post-school career as well as the characteristics he displayed were a reminder of how lucky I was to receive a scholarship in their name. Their devotion and passion towards everything they did both inside and outside of CGS was a quality I wanted to embody in my final 2 years at school, and beyond.
I am very thankful that as part of the Poate Scholarship, I was afforded the opportunity to attend the Global Young Leaders Conference (GYLC) in the USA. This opportunity was a valuable experience to develop leadership and negotiation skills, as well as connecting with many other young leaders from all corners of the world. I am so grateful I got to experience such a trip and its memories will stay with me for a lifetime.
To those thinking of applying for a scholarship, my advice would be to go for it. You never know what life has in stall, it may or may not help you in the trajectory you envisage your life going, but it also may change your thinking and open up new options you never thought possible! Be grateful you are able to have the opportunity at such a school like CGS, as many in life are not afforded the privilege. Embrace opportunities that come your way, and take the experiences that come as a result with you, and use these in your life long learning journey. Life in general, but especially your time at CGS, is too short to wait for things to happen for you, so give it your all, embrace everything and anything that comes your way because who knows where it could lead you.
ben monro (YEAR 12 tim MURRAY MUSIC SCHOLAR)
